House of Representatives proposes Creation of New States in Nigeria

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has proposed the creation of new states across the country. The proposal was presented during Thursday’s plenary session, with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu presiding over the proceedings.  

According to Benjamin Kalu, who also serves as the Chairman of the Committee, the plan includes creating six new states in the North Central region, four in the North East, five in the North West, five in the South East, four in the South-South, and seven in the South West. If approved by the National Assembly, Nigeria’s total number of states would rise to 67, surpassing the 50 states of the United States.  

A formal letter detailing the proposal stated, This is to inform members that the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), has received legislative proposals for the creation of new states and local governments in the following order:

Proposed New States:

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)  
- A 37th state, to be named Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

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 (to become the sixth state in the South East)  
* Adada State (from Enugu State)  
* Urashi State(from 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 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 State (from Ogun State)  
* Ife-Ijesha State (from Oyo and Osun States)  
The proposal is expected to undergo further legislative scrutiny before any final decisions are made regarding the creation of the new states.