More details have emerged of Nigeria's new Constitution, drawn up by the country's outgoing military rulers.
Each state will receive a greater share of the income generated by its own resources -- the amount will increase from three per cent to at least thirteen per cent.
The BBC Lagos correspondent says this will help meet the demands of people in the oil-rich Niger Delta, who have made repeated protests over what they regard as low state funding.
Social unrest has worsened in the Delta region over the past four years, and oil production has been severely disrupted.
The Consititution will also allow the predominantly Islamic states of northern Nigeria to establish Sharia courts of appeal. Our correspondent says the new Constitution is unlikely to arouse strong criticism, but many Nigerians are unhappy that it was drawn up secretly by the military authorities.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
Country profiles
Dam builders charged in bribery scandal
Burundi camps 'too dire' to help
Sudan power struggle denied
Animal airlift planned for Congo
Spy allegations bug South Africa
Senate leader's dismissal 'a good omen'
Tatchell calls for rights probe into Mugabe
Zimbabwe constitution: Just a bit of paper?
South African gays take centre stage
Nigeria's ruling party's convention
UN to return to Burundi
Bissau military hold fire
Nile basin agreement on water cooperation
Congo Brazzaville defends peace initiative
African Media Watch
Liberia names new army chief