The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has proposed the creation of 31 new states in Nigeria.
If approved, this would bring the total number of sub-national governments in the country to 67.
The proposal was presented during Thursday’s plenary session by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The committee, chaired by Kalu, outlined its recommendations in a letter read before the House.
According to the proposal, the states would be distributed across the country as follows: six 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 letter emphasised that the creation of new states must comply with constitutional provisions.
It outlined the conditions for initiating state creation, which include:
- The new state and its boundaries must be clearly defined.
- An Act of the National Assembly must be passed with the support of at least a two-thirds majority.
- Approval from the House of Representatives, the respective State House of Assembly, and the Local Government Council of the affected area must be obtained.
- Local government advocates must adhere to Section 8 of the Constitution, which governs local government area creation.
- The results of referendums conducted in the State Houses of Assembly must be forwarded to the National Assembly for final approval.
- Proposals must be submitted in three hard copies to the Committee Secretariat at Room H331, House of Representatives, White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Additionally, electronic copies must be sent to the Committee’s email address.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional compliance and stated that only proposals meeting the stipulated guidelines would be considered. The Clerk of the Committee on Constitutional Review signed off on the communication.
The proposed new states include:
- North Central: Okun, Okura, Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala, Apa (Benue); FCT State
- North East: Amana (Adamawa), Katagum (Bauchi), Savannah (Borno), Muri (Taraba)
- North West: New Kaduna, Gurara (Kaduna); Tiga, Ari (Kano); Kainji (Kebbi)
- South East: Etiti, Orashi (sixth state in South East); Adada (Enugu); Orlu, Aba
- South-South: Ogoja (Cross River), Warri (Delta), Ori, Obolo (Rivers)
- South West: Torumbe (Ondo), Ibadan (Oyo), Lagoon (Lagos), Ijebu (Ogun), Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun)
The proposal, if approved, would significantly reshape Nigeria’s administrative structure by increasing the number of states, potentially leading to greater regional representation and development.
