‘Aba, Lagoon, Warri’ — reps receive proposals for creation of 31 new states

The house of representatives has received proposals for the creation of 31 new states.

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house and chairman of the constitution review committee, announced the development during plenary on Thursday.

Below is a list of the proposed states.

NORT-CENTRAL
1. Benue Ala state from Benue state.
2. Okun state from Kogi state
3. Okura state from Kogi state
4. Confluence state from Kogi state
5. Apa-Agba state Benue south senatorial district
6. Apa state from the Benue state.
7. Federal capital territory, Abuja

NORTH-EAST

8. Amana state from Adamawa state.
9. Katagum state from Bauchi state.
10. Savanah state from Borno state.
11. Muri state from Taraba state.

NORTH-WEST

12. New Kaduna state from Kaduna state.

13. Gurara state from Kaduna state
14. Tiga state from Kano state.
15. Kainji state from Kebbi state.
16. Ghari state from Kano state

SOUTH-EAST

17. Etiti state
18. Adada state from Enugu state
19. Urashi state
20. Orlu state from Imo state
21. Aba state from Abia state

SOUTH-SOUTH

22. Ogoja state from Cross River state.
23. Warri state from Delta state.
24. Bori state from Rivers state
25. Obolo state from Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

SOUTH-WEST

26. Toru-Ebe state from Delta, Edo and Ondo states.
27. Ibadan state from Oyo state.
28. Lagoon state from Lagos state and Ogun state.
29. Ibeju state from Ogun state.
30. Ife-Ijesha state from Ogun, Oyo and Osun states
31. Oke-Ogun from Ogun, Oyo and Osun states

Kalu said the committee has reviewed the proposals for the creation of new States in accordance with section 8(1) of the constitution.

LEGISLATIVE HURDLES

The national assembly is currently amending the 1999 Constitution.

In January, Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, said work on the amendment of the constitution would be completed in December 2025.

Requirements for state creation and boundary adjustments are among the most challenging provisions in a constitutional amendment process.

Section 8(1) of the constitution stipulates that a new state can only be created if it is 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 — “(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives. (ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area”.

“(iii) And the local government councils in respect of the area is received by the National Assembly; (b) a proposal for the creation of the State is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area where the demand for the creation of the state originated.

“(c) The result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the states of the Federation, supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly.

“(d) The proposal is approved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly.”

No state has been created since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. 

Kalu said “proposals should be re-submitted in strict adherence to these stipulations” no later than Wednesday, 5th March 2025.