Nigeria’s House Approves Plan to Create 31 New States, Igniting Debate on Feasibility

The House of Representatives has approved a proposal to create 31 new states in Nigeria, a move that would increase the total number of states from 36 to 67. 

The proposal, revealed during a plenary session, has sparked widespread debate across the country, with individuals and groups questioning the feasibility and rationale behind such a significant change.

The proposal was presented by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. 

The suggested allocation of the new states is as follows: six in the North Central, four in the North East, five in the North West, five in the South East, four in the South South, and seven in the South West.

If the proposal is approved, Nigeria would have 17 more states than the United States, a nation more than ten times larger in area. The proposed states include:

North Central: Benue Ala, Okun, Okura, Confluence, Apa-Agba, Apa, and a state for the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).

North East: Amana, Katagum, Savannah, and Muri.

North West: New Kaduna, Gurara, Tiga, Kainji, and Ghari.

Reactions to the proposal have been mixed. Some former members of the National Assembly and socio-cultural groups have expressed concerns about the viability of many of the existing states and the potential strain on resources. 

The Yoruba socio cultural organization, Afenifere, and the Arewa Consultative Forum have both described the proposal as ridiculous.

According to Section Eight of the Nigerian Constitution, creating a new state requires a multi-step process

Support from at least two-thirds of the representatives from the area seeking the new state in the National Assembly, State House of Assembly, and local government councils.

Approval via a referendum, with at least two-thirds of the local population voting in favour.

Ratification of the referendum results by a simple majority of all states in the federation and State Houses of Assembly1.

Final approval by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives1.

The proposal is now subject to further scrutiny and public debate as it progresses through the legislative process.