The administration led by General Abdourahamane Tiani is pushing forward with a sweeping reform of Niger’s territorial structure to bolster its fight against armed groups operating within its borders. On May 12, 2026, the Ministry of Interior, Public Security, and Territorial Administration unveiled a proposal to expand the country’s administrative divisions from eight regions to nineteen, and from 63 departments to 82. The announcement was made to members of the Council for the Refoundation (CCR) by Abdoulkader Hama, Director General of Territorial Administration, as part of a broader governance restructuring initiative spearheaded by Tiani and his Interior Minister, General Mohamed Toumba.
Breaking down larger regions to enhance state presence
The proposed reform involves splitting existing regions into smaller units. Among the most significant changes, Maradi, Zinder, and Tahoua would each be divided into three new regions, while Tillabéri, Agadez, and Diffa would each be split into two. The capital district of Niamey would also be reorganized into two separate departments. Additionally, the number of communes is set to increase to 255. The stated goal is to bring government services closer to citizens and reinforce state authority in areas where public infrastructure remains inadequate.
General Toumba had previously outlined this strategy on April 21 during an interview, framing the creation of new regions as a security-enhancing measure. The rationale is directly tied to the threat posed by armed groups, particularly in border zones where extremist factions such as the Islamic State in the Sahel and ISWAP operate near the tri-border area, as well as in the Lake Chad basin, where Boko Haram continues to carry out attacks.
Local pushback emerges against the proposed changes
Despite the government’s stated intentions, the reform has already faced opposition in several areas. In the east, the proposed creation of a new region named Komadougou, with Diffa as its capital, has drawn criticism from residents of Nguigmi. They argue that the plan fails to elevate their department to regional status and question the appropriateness of the name given the region’s proximity to Lake Chad. Meanwhile, in the west, officials from the Say department have raised concerns that the new administrative layout could push some communities farther away from their designated regional centers, contradicting the government’s proclaimed objective of improving accessibility.
The financial implications of the reform—including the establishment of new governorates, administrative infrastructure, and staffing—were not disclosed during the presentation. The proposal remains under review, with further adjustments expected following consultations with the Council for the Refoundation before final approval by the transitional authorities.