In a historic move that promises to fundamentally alter the administrative fabric of Nigeria’s economic nerve center, the House of Representatives has given its resounding approval to a landmark bill that will catapult the number of Local Government Areas in Lagos State from 20 to a staggering 57.
This legislative earthquake, which passed under the watchful gavel of Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, does more than just redraw maps; it represents a profound constitutional shift aimed at acknowledging the explosive demographic reality of a megacity that has long outgrown its twentieth-century administrative skeleton.
The legislation, formally titled A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, seeks to elevate the state’s 37 existing Development Area Councils to the status of full-fledged, constitutionally recognized Local Government Areas.
This strategic move, championed by a powerful Lagos caucus led by Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, is framed not as a political gambit but as a long-overdue act of justice. “This is about justice and equity,” Faleke asserted, articulating a central argument that Lagos, bearing the weight of a massive population and immense economic activity, requires a more granular and effective structure for grassroots administration and service delivery.
The implications of this approval ripple far beyond the boundaries of Lagos. Nigeria’s total number of local councils would swell from 774 to 811, instantly positioning Lagos as the undisputed leader with more LGAs than Kano (44) and Katsina (34) combined.
This recalibration is poised to trigger a significant reallocation of national resources through the Federation Account, potentially funneling more funds directly into the burgeoning metropolis for development. However, the journey is not yet complete.
The bill now faces the critical gauntlet of concurrence from the Senate and, most dauntingly, ratification by at least 24 State Houses of Assembly—a process that will test the political will of the entire federation. If successful, this reform will not just create new government seats; it will inaugurate a new era of localized governance for millions of Lagosians.
