ABUJA—Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has received proposals for the creation of 31 additional states, potentially increasing the country’s total from 36 to 67.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the committee, disclosed this during plenary on Thursday while reading a letter from the committee’s clerk.
According to Kalu, the proposals include six new states in the North Central, 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.
The proposed states include Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue; FCT State; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Savannah from Borno; and Muri from Taraba.
Other names under consideration are New Kaduna and Gurara from Kaduna; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Kainji from Kebbi; Etiti, Orashi, Adada, Orlu, and Aba from the South East; Ogoja from Cross River; Warri from Delta; Ori and Obolo from Rivers; Torumbe from Ondo; Ibadan from Oyo; Lagoon from Lagos and Ogun; Ijebu from Ogun; and Oke Ogun/Ijesha from Oyo, Ogun, and Osun.
Kalu outlined constitutional requirements for new states, emphasizing that any proposal must secure a two-thirds majority vote in the National Assembly, the House of Assembly of the affected area, and local government councils.
“The outcome of the votes of the State Houses of Assembly in the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly,” he said.
Proposals must also meet submission guidelines, including three hard copies delivered to the committee’s secretariat at the National Assembly and electronic copies sent via email.
Kalu reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to upholding constitutional provisions, stating that only proposals adhering to the stipulated guidelines would be considered.
