An interest group, Concerned Citizens Assembly, has called for restructuring of Nigeria into 17 autonomous federated regions, with substantial powers devolved from the Federal Government to the regions.
The group made the call in a communiqué issued on Wednesday at the conclusion of a three-day deliberation on the restructuring of Nigeria held in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by Citizens Rebirth and Awareness Initiative (C-RAIN).
The group, in the communique read by the Convener of the Assembly, Deacon Owolabi Oladejo, said the proposed restructuring would promote peace, security, economic prosperity, accountability and national cohesion through a federal system based on consent, autonomy and shared constitutional responsibilities.
It listed the the proposed 17 autonomous regions to include Akwa Ibom, Ane Igala, Apa-Agba, Bendel, Caliphate, Cross River, Gurara, Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw, Kanem, Lower Benue, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Savannah and Yoruba.
The Assembly said the Plateau-Gurara proposal was split into Plateau and Gurara regions, while the application for Apa-Agba region was approved, bringing the number of proposed regions to 17.
It, however, acknowledged that issues concerning territorial boundaries, competing regional claims and the inclusion or exclusion of some communities remained unresolved.
According to the communiqué, such matters should be addressed through objective, transparent and evidence-based processes, taking into account historical, cultural, geographical, economic, administrative and security considerations.
It said where territorial disputes could not be resolved through negotiation and objective boundary-delineation mechanisms, affected communities should decide through referendums.
The Assembly said it adopted the principle that constituent regions should operate as autonomous entities within a united Nigerian federation, with substantial authority over their internal affairs.
Part of its proposal also was that the Federal Government should exercise only clearly defined and enumerated powers, including foreign affairs, customs, immigration, emigration, national economy, currency and the Central Bank, national defence and security.
The summit further proposed the abolition of the concurrent legislative list, with all other powers residing with the regions.
On fiscal federalism, the Assembly proposed that regions should retain 80 per cent of revenues generated within their territories and contribute 20 per cent to the centre.
It said the arrangement would promote accountability, productivity, healthy competition, development and responsible management of public resources.
The Assembly also called for regional policing and internal public safety to become the responsibility of autonomous regions, while national defence, territorial integrity and external security should remain federal responsibilities.
It proposed that each autonomous region should have its own regional constitution adopted through a legitimate and participatory process and subject to the federal constitution.
The summit emphasised the protection of minorities, saying regional autonomy should not become a basis for dominance or discrimination against minority communities.
It called for regional constitutions to guarantee equality before the law, protection of cultural and linguistic identities, equitable political representation, access to public services and judicial remedies against violations of protected rights.
The Assembly also agreed to adopt Articles of Federation to be subscribed to by each federated region, stressing that the proposed restructuring was not intended to disintegrate Nigeria.(NAN) Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
Yusuf Abdullahi Itas, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Itas/Gadau State Constituency, has withdrawn from the 2027 general election. Itas, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), announced his decision in a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to the party’s state chairman.
In the letter titled, “Withdrawal of Candidature for the Itas/Gadau State Constituency Seat in the Bauchi State House of Assembly,” the lawmaker formally informed the party that he would no longer contest the seat in the 2027 election.
He described his decision as “entirely voluntary and personal”.
He thanked the APM leadership and its members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party.
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Itas also expressed appreciation to residents of the constituency for their encouragement and support during his time in office.
The lawmaker is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petitions and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
His withdrawal comes less than three weeks after the Bauchi Assembly Chief Whip, Musa Wakili Nakwada, also announced that he would not contest the 2027 elections.
Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.
From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.
Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.
Some go to school with torn shoes.
Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.
And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.
But we are here to tell them something different.
YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.
Your address does not determine your destiny.
The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.
Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.
Look at Jos.
This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.
John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.
P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.
Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.
And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 
So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”
We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.
We are looking at potential.
We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.
Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:
“I believe in you.”
That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.
We will tell the stories of the streets.
We will show the struggles.
We will celebrate the talent.
We will listen to the dreams.
And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.
Your parents may not have everything.
Your environment may not be perfect.
You may not have the opportunities others have.
But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.
The world may see a child from the slum.
We see a future star.
The world may see a difficult beginning.
We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.
This is Jos Ghetto Stories.
Stories from the streets.
Stories of struggle.
Stories of hope.
Stories of talent.
Stories of resilience.
Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.
Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.
And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.