House of Reps Advocates for New State Creation

Expanding Nigeria: 31 New States Proposed

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has proposed the creation of 31 new states in Nigeria. If approved, this would increase the number of states from 36 to 67.

The proposed states include:

North-Central:

• Benue Ala State (from Benue State)
• Okun State (from Kogi State)
• Okura State (from Kogi State)
• Confluence State (from Kogi State)
• Apa-Agba State (from Benue South Senatorial District)
• Apa State (from Benue State)
• Federal Capital Territory as a state

North-East:

• Amana State (from Adamawa State)
• Katagum State (from Bauchi State)
• Savannah State (from Borno State)
• Muri State (from Taraba State)

North-West:

• New Kaduna State and Gurara State (from Kaduna State)
• Tiga State (from Kano State)
• Kainji State (from Kebbi State)
• Ghari State (from Kano State)

South-East:

• Etiti State (as the sixth state in the South-East geopolitical zone)
• Adada State (from Enugu State)
• Urashi State (as the sixth state in the South-East geopolitical zone)
• Orlu State (from the South-Eastern region)
• Aba State (from the South-Eastern region)

South-South:

• Ogoja State (from Cross River State)
• Warri State (from Delta State)
• Bori State (from Rivers State)
• Obolo State (from Rivers and Akwa Ibom States)

South-West:

• Toru-Ebe State (from Delta, Edo, and Ondo States)
• Ibadan State (from Oyo State)
• Lagoon State (from Lagos State)
• Ijebu State (from Ogun State)
• Oke-Ogun and Ife-Ijesha States (from Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States)

The committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, has reviewed these proposals in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Constitution. The process for creating new states involves several steps, including approval by at least two-thirds majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as referendums in the areas affected.