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On Thursday, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review in it’s sitting proposed the creation of 31 new states across Nigeria.
This would bring the total number of states in Nigeria to 67, up from the current 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The proposal was announced during Thursday’s plenary session by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Reading from a letter presented at the session, Kalu highlighted the key conditions outlined for initiating state creation. These requirements include:
1. New State and Boundary Definitions:
The National Assembly can only pass an act to create a new state if it gains the support of at least a two-thirds majority of members in the House of Representatives, the relevant State House of Assembly, and the Local Government Councils of the affected areas.
2. Local Government Considerations:
Proposals for the creation of additional local government areas must adhere to Section 8 of the Constitution, as amended. Section 8(3) specifically requires that the results of state referendum votes be forwarded to the National Assembly for validation.
The proposed new states include:
From Kogi State: Okun, Okura, and Confluence
From Benue State: Benue Ala and Apa
From Adamawa State: Amana
From Bauchi State: Katagum
From Borno State: Savannah
From Taraba State: Muri
From Kaduna State: New Kaduna and Gujarat
From Kano State: Tiga and Ari
From Kebbi State: Kainji
From the South East: Etiti, Orashi, Adada (from Enugu), Orlu, and Aba
From Cross River State: Ogoja
From Delta State: Warri
From Rivers State: Ori and Obolo
From Ondo State: Torumbe
From Oyo State: Ibadan
From Lagos State: Lagoon
From Ogun State: Ogun and Ijebu
From a combination of Oyo, Ogun, and Osun States: Oke Ogun/Ijesha
The proposal marks a significant potential restructuring of Nigeria’s political map, subject to approval by the legislative and constitutional processes outlined in the Constitution.
