A bill seeking the creation of Savannah State from the present Borno State has scaled first reading at the House of Representatives.
Damboa will be the capital once the state is created.
The development was announced during plenary, marking the formal entry of the proposal into the legislative process after years of agitation from groups in Southern Borno.
The Constitution Review Committee for the Northeast Zone B had earlier received over 50 submissions from civil society bodies, associations, unions, and clubs.
Their memoranda covered issues such as new state requests and adjustments within the Savannah region, forming the background to the renewed push.
The bill is sponsored by Hon. Midala Balami of Askira-Uba/Hawul, with support from Hon. Muktari Betara of Biu/Shani/Kwaya Kusar/Bayo and Hon. Ahmed Usman Jaha, known as Babawo, representing Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok.
Through Order Paper 223, they proposed the creation of the new state in line with the 1999 Constitution.
The draft outlines 24 local government areas for the proposed Savannah State, including adjustments to existing boundaries to make administration smoother.
Lawmakers behind the proposal said that Borno’s current population and its 27 local government areas place heavy pressure on governance, and that splitting the state would make development easier to manage.
They also argued that a smaller administrative structure would improve resource use and strengthen security coordination.
