The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has proposed the creation of 31 additional states in Nigeria, which would increase the total number of states in the country from 36 to 67.
The proposal was presented during plenary on Thursday by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who read a letter from the committee outlining the proposed states.
The proposed states are spread across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with the aim of addressing regional imbalances and promoting development. Below is the breakdown of the proposed states:
NORTH-CENTRAL
- Benue Ala State – from the present Benue State.
- Okun State – from the present Kogi State.
- Okura State – from the present Kogi State.
- Confluence State – from the present Kogi State.
- Apa-Agba State – from Benue South Senatorial District.
- Apa State – from the present Benue State.
- Federal Capital Territory, Abuja – proposed as the 37th state.
NORTH-EAST
- Amana State – from the present Adamawa State.
- Katagum State – from the present Bauchi State.
- Savannah State – from the present Borno State.
- Muri State – from the present Taraba State.
NORTH-WEST
- New Kaduna State and Gurara State – from the present Kaduna State.
- Tiga State – from the present Kano State.
- Kainji State – from the present Kebbi State.
- Ghari State – from the present Kano State.
SOUTH-EAST
- Etiti State – proposed as the sixth state in the South-East geopolitical zone.
- Adada State – from the present Enugu State.
- Urashi State – proposed as the sixth state in the South-East geopolitical zone.
- Orlu State – from the South-Eastern Region of Nigeria.
- Aba State – from the South-Eastern Region of Nigeria.
SOUTH-SOUTH
- Ogoja State – from the present Cross River State.
- Warri State – from the present Delta State.
- Bori State – from the present Rivers State.
- Obolo State – from the present Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
SOUTH-WEST
- Toru-Ebe State – from the present Delta, Edo, and Ondo States.
- Ibadan State – from the present Oyo State.
- Lagoon State – from the present Lagos State.
- Ijebu State – from the present Ogun State.
- Lagoon State – from the present Lagos and Ogun States.
- Ibadan State – from the present Oyo State.
- Oke-Ogun and Ife-Ijesha States – from the present Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States.
Constitutional Requirements for State Creation
For the proposed states to materialize, the 1999 Constitution mandates that the following conditions must be met:
- A request supported by at least two-thirds majority of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives (National Assembly).
- Approval by two-thirds majority of the State House of Assembly in the affected area.
- Endorsement by two-thirds majority of the Local Government Councils in the affected area.
The proposal is part of ongoing efforts to restructure Nigeria’s federal system and address calls for greater regional autonomy and resource control. However, the process of creating new states is complex and requires broad consensus among stakeholders.
The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has invited public input and debate on the proposal, which is expected to be a major topic of discussion in the coming months. If approved, the creation of new states could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political and administrative landscape.
