A former Minister of State for Petroleum, Alhaji Umaru Dembo, has called for the creation of an additional geopolitical zone in Northern Nigeria to be known as the North-North zone, comprising Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
Dembo, a former governorship candidate in Kaduna State, made the proposal in a letter dated July 23, 2026, addressed to the National Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), urging the northern socio-cultural organisation to champion the proposal before the National Assembly and the Presidency.
Nigeria currently has six geopolitical zones, namely the North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South.
Although the zones have no constitutional status, they are widely used for political representation, appointments, resource distribution and administrative coordination.
In the letter, Dembo argued that while the North currently has three geopolitical zones, the region’s population, landmass and development needs justify the creation of a fourth zone.
‘I write with utmost respect to present a proposal for the creation of an additional geopolitical zone for Northern Nigeria, to be known as the ‘North-North zone’, comprising Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States,’ he said.
According to him, the proposed zone would promote equity, balanced representation and accelerate development across the region.
‘The North currently has three geopolitical zones, while the South has three. In view of our population, landmass, and the yearnings for equity, balanced representation and accelerated development, the creation of a fourth zone in the North has become both necessary and just,’ he said.
‘Kano, Katsina and Jigawa share deep historical, cultural and economic ties. The creation of a North-North Zone will bring governance closer to the people, strengthen regional planning, and ensure fairer allocation of federal resources and political representation,’ he added.
He appealed to the Arewa Consultative Forum to lend its support to the proposal and advocate for its consideration by the appropriate authorities.
‘I therefore humbly solicit the support of the Arewa Consultative Forum to champion this noble cause to the National Assembly and the Presidency. This is in the interest of peace, unity, fairness and progress of our dear region,’ he added.
Dembo, a journalist, publisher, businessman and politician, served as Minister of State for Petroleum under the late General Sani Abacha’s administration in 1997.