The National Assembly has received a slew of proposals aimed at creating 31 new states in Nigeria. The proposals, which were submitted to the Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), seek to reshape the country’s administrative landscape.

Background: The Need for State Creation

The call for state creation in Nigeria has been a longstanding issue, with various groups and individuals advocating for the creation of new states to address issues of marginalization, inequality, and underdevelopment. The National Assembly’s decision to consider these proposals is seen as a significant step towards addressing these concerns.

The Proposed States

The 31 proposed states are spread across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Here is a breakdown of the proposed states by region:

Here are the 31 proposed states in Nigeria, categorized by region:

North-Central

1. Benue Ala State: from the present Benue State
2. Okun State: from the present Kogi State
3. Okura State: from the present Kogi State
4. Confluence State: from the present Kogi State
5. Apa-Agba State: from Benue South Senatorial District
6. Apa State: from the present Benue State
7. Federal Capital Territory, Abuja: as the 37th state

North-East

8. Amana State: from the present Adamawa State
9. Katagum State: from the present Bauchi State
10. Savannah State: from the present Borno State
11. Muri State: from the present Taraba State

North-West

12. New Kaduna State and Gurara State: from the present Kaduna State
13. Tiga State: from the present Kano State
14. Kainji State: from the present Kebbi State
15. Ghari State: from the present Kano State

South-East

16. Etiti State: as the sixth state in the South East geopolitical zone
17. Adada State: from the present Enugu State
18. Urashi State: as the sixth state in the South East geopolitical zone
19. Orlu State: from the South Eastern Region of Nigeria
20. Aba State: from the South Eastern Region of Nigeria

South-South

21. Ogoja State: from the present Cross River State
22. Warri State: from the present Delta State
23. Bori State: from the present Rivers State
24. Obolo State: from the present Rivers and Akwa Ibom States

South-West

25. Toru-Ebe State: from the present Delta, Edo, and Ondo States
26. Ibadan State: from the present Oyo State
27. Lagoon State: from the present Lagos State
28. Ijebu State: from the present Ogun State
29. Lagoon State: from the present Lagos State and Ogun State
30. Ibadan State: from the present Oyo State
31. Oke-Ogun and Ife-Ijesha States: from the present-day Ogun, Oyo, and Osun states

These proposals are part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, with the National Assembly working to reshape Nigeria’s administrative landscape.¹

Implications of State Creation

The creation of new states in Nigeria would have significant implications for the country’s politics, economy, and social structure. Some of the potential benefits of state creation include:

• Greater autonomy and self-governance for marginalized communities
• More effective representation and participation in national politics
• Increased access to resources and infrastructure for underdeveloped regions
• Enhanced economic development and growth through more targeted investment and policy interventions

However, state creation also poses significant challenges, including:

• The potential for increased ethnic and regional tensions
• The need for significant investment in infrastructure and human capital
• The risk of creating new administrative burdens and inefficiencies

Next Steps

The National Assembly’s Committee on the Review of the Constitution will review the proposals and conduct public hearings to gather input from stakeholders. The committee will then make recommendations to the National Assembly, which will ultimately decide whether to approve the creation of new states.

Conclusion

The proposal for 31 new states in Nigeria is a significant development that has the potential to reshape the country’s administrative landscape. While state creation poses significant challenges, it also offers opportunities for greater autonomy, representation, and economic development. As the National Assembly considers these proposals, it is essential that stakeholders engage in constructive dialogue and debate to ensure that any decisions made are in the best interests of the Nigerian people.