Badamasi Bello, Jadetimes Staff
B. Bello is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Nigerian News
Abuja, Nigeria — What might alter the political and administrative look of Africa's most populous country, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has proposed the creation of 31 additional states in Nigeria. If adopted, this would increase the number of states in the country from 36 to 67, making it one of the most significant constitutional amendments in Nigerian history.
The plan was unveiled on Thursday in a plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. Kalu read a letter from the committee detailing the legislative proposals for new states and local governments across the country's six geopolitical zones. The proposed states are drawn from existing states in an effort to respond to age-long agitations for greater regional autonomy, resource distribution, and improved governance.
A Breakdown of the Proposed States
The proposed states cut across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, with each experiencing some degree of change in their administrative setup. Below is a breakdown of the proposed states:
North-Central Zone
1. Benue Ala State – Sliced off the present-day Benue State.
2. Okun State – Created from Kogi State.
3. Okura State – Also from Kogi State.
4. Confluence State – Another proposed state from Kogi State.
5. Apa-Agba State – From the Benue South Senatorial District.
6. Apa State– From present-day Benue State.
7. Federal Capital Territory, Abuja– Proposed as the 37th state.
North-East Zone
8. Amana State – From Adamawa State.
9. Katagum State – From Bauchi State.
10. Savannah State– From Borno State.
11. Muri State– From Taraba State.
North-West Zone
12. New Kaduna State and Gurara State – Both from Kaduna State.
13. Tiga State – From Kano State.
14. Kainji State – From Kebbi State.
15. Ghari State – From Kano State.
South-East Zone
16. Etiti State – Proposed as the sixth state in the South-East geopolitical zone.
17. Adada State – From Enugu State.
18. Urashi State – Another proposed sixth state in the South-East.
19. Orlu State – From the South-Eastern Region.
20. Aba State – Also from the South-Eastern Region.
South-South Zone
21. Ogoja State – From Cross River State.
22. Warri State – From Delta State.
23. Bori State – From Rivers State.
24. Obolo State – From Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
South-West Zone
25. Toru-Ebe State – From Delta, Edo, and Ondo States.
26. Ibadan State – From Oyo State.
27. Lagoon State – From Lagos State.
28. Ijebu State – From Ogun State.
29. Lagoon State – From Lagos and Ogun States.
30. Ife-Ijesha State – From Oyo State.
31. Oke-Ogun State – From Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States.
The Road to Assent
The creation of new states is a burdened process under the constitution. For such a bill to become law, it needs to be endorsed by at least two-thirds of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. In addition, it has to be approved by a two-thirds majority of the state Houses of Assembly and local government councils concerned. This will make such new state creation reflective of broad consensus and in response to genuine regional demands.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu explained that such proposals were still at their incubatory stages and would be put through the proper grill. "This is a historic moment for our nation, but it is also a moment that requires careful deliberation. We must ensure that whatever new states created serve the best interests of all Nigerians," Kalu said during the plenary session.
Reactions and Implications
The proposal has elicited reactions from many parts of the country. The proponents say the creation of new states will take governance to the doorstep of the people, ensure representation of hitherto marginalized people, and accelerate the development of backward regions. "This is a long-overdue step toward ensuring equal representation and fair resource distribution," noted Hon. Samuel Onu, a member of the House of Representatives from Benue State.
Critics, however, have expressed apprehension over the possible financial burden that the creation of new states will bring to a country already facing economic challenges. "We must be very careful about the fiscal implications of this proposal. It takes a lot of money to create new states, and we don't want the existing states to be weakened in the process," warned Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, an economist and former Nigerian finance minister.
The move has also reopened debates on Nigeria's federalism, with some calling for a more decentralized system of governance. "This is an opportunity to rethink our federalism and address the structural imbalances that have hindered our progress," said Professor Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate and political commentator.
Historical Context
The current structure of 36 states in Nigeria was realized in 1996 under the military regime of General Sani Abacha. The creation of states has been influenced by demands for increased autonomy, ethnic representation, and resource control. In practice, however, this has been a very contentious process, with many accusing the government of political favoritism and not considering local opinion and involvement.
It has come against the backdrop of increasing political and economic uncertainty in Nigeria, which is due to hold general elections in 2027. The review was presented as a milestone toward addressing a raft of long-standing grievances and fostering national cohesion.
What's Next?
The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution will therefore undertake public hearings and consultations to garner input from stakeholders across the country. The committee is expected to present its final report to the National Assembly later this year, after which the proposal will be put to a vote.
As Nigeria takes this historic flight, the eyes of the nation—and indeed the world—are squarely set on the result. Will the creation of 31 new states give rise to an era of a more equal and prosperous Nigeria, or will it further exacerbate the already insurmountable challenges? Only time will tell.
In the immediate context, one thing is clear: the debate on the future of Nigeria has commenced, and it is the decisions of the next few months that are likely to decide the fate of the largest democracy in Africa for decades.
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