Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has approved the appointment of a 41-member high-powered committee to supervise the process for the creation of new emirates, chiefdoms, and districts across the state. The move is part of a broader effort to deepen grassroots governance, preserve cultural heritage, and promote inclusive traditional administration.
The announcement follows a previous call by the state government encouraging interested communities to submit memoranda requesting the establishment of new traditional and administrative units. According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mukhtar Gidado, the newly constituted committee is tasked with evaluating all submissions based on fairness, equity, and financial sustainability.
“This is a bold move to deepen grassroots governance, preserve cultural heritage, and promote inclusivity across traditional institutions in the state,” the statement read.
The committee comprises a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including respected traditional rulers, judicial officers, scholars, senior civil servants, and representatives of key religious and civil society organisations. Former State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Hamza Akuyam, will serve as Chairman, while Justice Habibu Shall has been appointed as Deputy Chairman.
Several high-ranking state officials will also participate in the committee’s work, including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Commissioner for Culture. Representatives from security agencies have also been included to ensure the process is conducted in a stable and secure environment.
The committee reflects a strong emphasis on inclusivity, with members drawn from religious groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), as well as professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The governor’s initiative is widely seen as a strategic effort to strengthen traditional governance structures and ensure that cultural institutions are responsive to the evolving needs of Bauchi’s diverse communities. The committee is expected to conclude its review and submit recommendations that will guide the state government’s decisions on the establishment of the new traditional entities
