More than 65 years later, the Movement for the Creation of Amana State says those promises remain unfulfilled. “We are not a state. Mubi is not recognised as a capital,” said Alhaji Sali Bello, the Dan Amar Mubi, who leads the agitation. “What we face is not just marginalisation; it is a complete disregard for an agreement made in trust”.

The pain of the broken promise is sharpened by a stark comparison with neighbours who chose a different path. At the same 1961 plebiscite, the Southern Cameroons voted to join the Republic of Cameroon.

Mr. Bello points out that Cameroon honoured its commitment: the Southern Cameroons now form two of the country’s ten regions—the Southwest with its capital at Buea, and the Northwest with its capital at Bamenda. “Out of 10, they have two. Out of 36, we have zero. Haba! This is a gross injustice,” he lamented before a House of Representatives committee in Maiduguri.

The proposed Amana State would be carved from the northern part of present-day Adamawa State. According to proposals from the 2014 National Conference, it would comprise six local government areas: Hong, Madagali, Maiha, Michika, Mubi North, and Mubi South, with Mubi serving as its capital.

Proponents argue that the region meets all constitutional requirements for state creation, including population size, geographic spread, administrative capacity, economic viability, and a distinct cultural identity. “We have the numbers. We have the land. We have the resources and the economic potential to stand on our own,” Mr. Bello stated.

The demand has gained fresh momentum amid the ongoing constitutional review. In July 2025, hundreds of agitators stormed Maiduguri for a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendment, where they were supported by traditional rulers from the region. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno, who declared the hearing open, urged residents to seize the opportunity to express their aspirations.

The Movement for the Creation of Amana State says it has submitted all required documentation to the National Assembly. “The 10th National Assembly and this government have the opportunity to write their names in gold,” Mr. Bello said. “They can bring justice to a people who kept their word to Nigeria over six decades ago and have waited patiently ever since”.

Despite the renewed push, the path to state creation remains uncertain. The last successful state creation exercise in Nigeria occurred in 1996. Nevertheless, the Amana State agitators remain resolute, pledging continued loyalty to Nigeria while demanding what they believe is rightfully theirs. For the people of northern Adamawa, the question that has lingered for 65 years remains unanswered: when will Nigeria redeem its promise?