The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has proposed the creation of 31 new states in Nigeria, which, if approved, would bring the total number of sub-national governments in the country to 67.
The proposal was presented in a letter read out during Thursday’s plenary session by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the proceedings in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The letter outlines the committee’s recommendations and the steps required for the state creation process.
The proposal, which includes the creation of new states across various regions, suggests that six new states be created in North Central, four in North East, five in North West, five in South East, four in South-South, and seven in South West.
The committee’s letter, read by Kalu, outlined specific requirements that must be met in order to initiate the state creation process.
Among these requirements is that an act of the National Assembly to create a new state can only be passed if it is supported by at least a third of the members.
“The House of Representatives, the House of Assembly in the relevant area, and the Local Government Council in the area must provide approval to the National Assembly,” the letter stated.
Additionally, the letter highlighted that proposals for creating new states must adhere to Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which includes the necessity of a referendum vote by State Houses of Assembly.
The results of the votes must then be forwarded to the National Assembly to fulfil the constitutional requirements.
The committee also emphasised that only proposals complying with the stipulated guidelines would be considered.
The process requires the submission of three hard copies of full proposals, along with electronic copies, to the Committee’s Secretariat at the National Assembly Complex.
The proposed new states are as follows:
- North Central: Okun, Okura, and Confluence states from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa states from Benue; FCT state.
- North East: Amana state from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah states from Borno; Muri state from Taraba.
- North West: New Kaduna and Gujarat states from Kaduna; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi.
- South East: Etiti and Orashi as the 6th state; Adada from Enugu; Orlu and Aba from the South East.
- South-South: Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers.
- South West: Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; Lagoon from Lagos; Ogun, Ijebu from Ogun state; Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo/Ogun/Osun states.
This proposed move to create additional states is expected to spark significant debate and scrutiny, particularly concerning the impact it could have on Nigeria’s political landscape, resource distribution, and administrative structure.
If the proposal progresses, it could reshape the national framework by increasing the number of states and potentially altering the dynamics of governance across the country.
