…Abuja to become 37th state per Committee proposal

…S’West, North Central take lead with seven new states

By Sodiq Adelakun

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review has proposed the creation of 31 new states, a development that would raise the total number of states in the country from 36 to 67.

This proposal was unveiled during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu on Thursday.

Kalu, who led the session, read aloud the committee’s official letter containing the legislative suggestions.

The letter outlined a series of states to be carved out from existing ones.

According to the letter, the proposed new states are categorised by Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with detailed plans for each.

The North-Central zone, for instance, could see the creation of six new states, including Benue Ala State, Okun State, and Apa-Agba State.

In the North-East, four states—Amana State, Katagum State, Savannah State, and Muri State—are being proposed.

The North-West would be home to a new pair of states—New Kaduna State and Gurara State, alongside Kainji and Ghari States from existing territories.

The South-East, traditionally known for its push for more political representation, could see the establishment of two new states, Etiti State and Urashi State, as well as the formation of Adada and Orlu States.

Meanwhile, the South-South zone would see significant changes with the introduction of Ogoja State, Warri State, and Bori State, while the South-West is set to experience a reorganisation that includes the creation of Toru-Ebe State from the present Delta, Edo and Ondo States; Ibadan State from the present Oyo State; Ijebu State from the present Ogun State; Lagoon State from the present Lagos State and Ogun State; as well as Oke-ogun and Ifeesha States from the present-day Ogun, Oyo and Osun States.

The proposal also includes the possibility of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, becoming a full-fledged state, making it the 37th in the federation.

The letter signed by the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution review committee reads in part: “The Committee has reviewed the proposals for the creation of new States in accordance with Section 8(1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“This section outlines specific requirements that must be fulfilled to mutate the process of State creation, which include the following, New States and boundary adjustment, etc.

“An Act of the National Assembly to create a new State shall only be passed if (a) a request, supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new State) in each of the following, namely – the Senate and the House of Representatives, (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and the local government councils in respect of the area, is received by the National Assembly.

“Advocates for the creation of additional Local Government Areas are also reminded that Section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), applies to this process.

“Specifically, in accordance with Section 8(3) of the Constitution, the outcomes of the votes by the State Houses of Assembly and the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for further legislative action. Proposals should be re-submitted in strict adherence to these stipulations.

“Submit three (3) hard copies of all proposals and memoranda to the Secretariat of the Committee al Room H331, House of Representatives White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, no later than Wednesday, 5th March 2025. Soft comes must also be sent electronically to the committee’s email address at info@hccr.gov.ng.

 ”The Committee remains committed to supporting legitimate efforts that align with constitutional provisions and will only consider proposals that comply with the stipulated guidelines.”