A proposal by Nigeria’s House of Representatives to create 31 new states has ignited a firestorm of debate across the country.
The plan, put forth during a plenary session on February 6, 2025, would increase the number of states from 36 to 67 if approved.
The House Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, has outlined a plan for distributing the new states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones: 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. The proposed states include:
North Central: Benue Ala, Apa Agba, Apa (from Benue), Okun, Okura, Confluence (from Kogi), and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja)
North East: Amana (from Adamawa), Katagum (from Bauchi), Savannah (from Borno), and Muri (from Taraba)
North West: New Kaduna, Gurara (from Kaduna), Tiga, Ghari (from Kano), and Kainji (from Kebbi)
South East: Etiti, Adada (from Enugu), Orashi, Orlu, and Aba
South South: Ogoja, Warri, Bori, and Obolo
South West: Toru-Ebe, Ibadan, Lagoon, Ijebu, Oke-Ogun, and Ife-Ijesha
Reactions to the proposal have been largely critical.
Some former members of the National Assembly and socio-cultural groups have questioned the financial viability of the existing states, arguing that creating more states would only exacerbate the problem.
The Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, and the Arewa Consultative Forum have both described the proposal as ridiculous.
Others have decried the exclusion and marginalization of certain groups in the proposal.
Section Eight of the Nigerian Constitution outlines a multi-step process for creating new states:
The proposal must receive 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.
A referendum must be held, with at least two-thirds of the local population voting in favor of the creation of the state.
The referendum results must be ratified by a simple majority of all states in the federation and State Houses of Assembly.
Final approval requires a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The proposal now faces significant hurdles, including public scrutiny, debates, and constitutional requirements, before it can become reality
