ESG Expert Sonia Somuvie Calls Anioma State Creation a Diplomatic Step Toward Fairness,Sustainable Governance

Sonia Somuvie, Founder of Coresphere Nigeria and Senior Adviser on Environment to Senator Ned Nwoko, has lent her voice to the ongoing national debate on the creation of Anioma State, describing it as a strategic, ethical, and sustainability-driven step toward strengthening Nigeria’s governance structure.

Speaking on the matter from an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) perspective, Somuvie said the demand for Anioma State goes beyond political interest, arguing that it aligns with global standards on equity and sustainable development. “Anioma State is not a political demand; it is a governance solution, a development strategy, a moral correction, and a diplomatic step toward a more balanced Nigeria,” she stated.

She noted that Nigeria is at a critical point where fairness, inclusion, and transparent governance are essential elements of national stability. According to her, state creation when rooted in equity and strategic planning remains a tool for correcting historical imbalances and deepening representation.

Somuvie stressed that the South-East’s position as the only geopolitical zone with five states places it at a structural disadvantage in federal representation, resource allocation, and political participation. Creating Anioma State from the existing Delta North senatorial district, she said, would correct this long-standing inequity while aligning with the constitutional principle of equal standing for all regions.

She had an alternative view about the fears that creating new states would burden the system, explaining that Delta’s cultural and administrative complexity makes the proposed division a path toward more efficient governance. “A state with a clearly defined cultural identity and geographic coherence is easier to manage, easier to plan for, and easier to sustain,” she noted.

On economic viability, Somuvie argued that Anioma is well-positioned for long-term growth, citing its fertile landmass, youthful population, mineral resources, small-business ecosystem, and strategic access points including the River Niger, Asaba International Airport, and major trade corridors. She added that the region has the potential to model decentralized innovation, smart urban planning, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

As Nigeria moves deeper into the global sustainability era, Somuvie believes Anioma could emerge as one of the country’s first ESG-driven states, purposefully designed for clean energy adoption, environmental safeguards, and inclusive development.

She also emphasized that beyond economics, Anioma State would give constitutional recognition to a people with a distinct cultural identity, fostering deeper trust and civic participation.

Describing the proposal as “a diplomatic and non-threatening pathway to national stability,” Somuvie noted that Anioma State carries no territorial disputes or ethnic tensions, making it one of the most peaceful state-creation models in recent times.

She concluded by urging Nigerians to consider the broader implications for national progress. “The question is simple: do we continue with imbalances because they are familiar, or do we evolve into a nation guided by fairness, functionality, and foresight?”

Somuvie maintained that the creation of Anioma State remains both a national opportunity and a practical route to sustainable governance in Nigeria.