The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has put forward a proposal for the creation of 31 new states in Nigeria. If approved, the number of states in the country will increase from 36 to 67.
The proposal was presented during Thursday’s plenary session by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the meeting in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The committee, chaired by Kalu, recommended six new states for the North Central region, four for the North East, five for the North West, five for the South East, four for the South-South, and seven for the South West.
According to the committee, the process of state creation must meet specific constitutional requirements. As outlined in a letter read during the session, an act of the National Assembly must secure a two-thirds majority vote for approval. Additionally, the proposal must receive endorsements from the House of Representatives, the respective State House of Assembly, and the Local Government Council within the affected areas.
The committee emphasized that any new state proposals must strictly adhere to Section 8 of the Nigerian Constitution. Submissions must be presented in three hard copies to the committee’s secretariat at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, while electronic copies should be sent via email.
Among the proposed new states are:
- North Central: Okun, Okura, and Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala and Apa (Benue); FCT State.
- North East: Amana (Adamawa); Katagum (Bauchi); Savannah (Borno); Muri (Taraba).
- North West: New Kaduna and Gurara (Kaduna); Tiga and Ari (Kano); Kainji (Kebbi).
- South East: Etiti and Orashi; Adada (Enugu); Orlu and Aba.
- South-South: Ogoja (Cross River); Warri (Delta); Ori and Obolo (Rivers).
- South West: Torumbe (Ondo); Ibadan (Oyo); Lagoon (Lagos); Ijebu and Ogun (Ogun); Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun).
The committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all proposals align with constitutional provisions and meet the necessary requirements for consideration.
