Nigerian House Of Representatives To Review Proposals For 46 New States and 117 Local Governments.
The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced plans to consider an unprecedented 46 proposals for the creation of new states and 117 requests for new local government areas (LGAs) across Nigeria. The announcement, made on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to reshape the country’s administrative and political landscape, potentially increasing the number of states from 36 to 82 if all proposals are approved.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, revealed the details during a press briefing in Abuja. The proposals, submitted by members of the House, include six new states in the North East, seven in the North West, 12 in the North Central, six in the South East, seven in the South South, and eight in the South West geopolitical zones. Additionally, the 117 LGA requests are distributed across the regions, with the South East and South South each proposing 24 new councils, followed by 22 in the North East, 21 in the North Central, 14 in the North West, and 12 in the South West.
Kalu highlighted that the proposals are part of a broader compendium of 86 Constitution Review Bills, organised into 13 thematic areas, including electoral reforms, judicial reforms, security, devolution of powers, and local government restructuring. “These bills represent legislative efforts to address developmental challenges and enhance governance,” he said, noting that the committee aims to foster public engagement through zonal public hearings scheduled across 12 centres nationwide.
The first phase of the hearings, set for 11 to 13 July 2025, will cover the North West (Kaduna and Sokoto), North Central (Minna and Lafia), and North East (Gombe and Borno). The second phase, from 18 to 20 July 2025, will address the South East, South South, and South West zones, with a national public hearing planned for 21 July 2025 in Abuja. Kalu urged Nigerians to participate actively, stating, “This is a chance to shape our nation’s future. Those who fail to contribute should not complain later.”
The proposed states include innovative suggestions such as Savannah State from Borno, Kwararafa and Muri from Taraba, Katagum from Bauchi, and Amana from Adamawa in the North East, alongside Okun and Confluence from Kogi in the North Central. The South West has put forward proposals like Ijebu and Ibadan, while the South East includes Adada and Orlu. These proposals aim to enhance representation, promote economic viability, and bring governance closer to the people.
However, the creation of new states and LGAs faces stringent constitutional requirements under Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution. These include securing a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, approval from at least 24 state Houses of Assembly, and a referendum in the affected areas. Critics have cautioned that expanding Nigeria’s administrative units could strain federal resources, but proponents argue it will drive development and address regional imbalances.
Kalu emphasised the committee’s commitment to transparency, encouraging stakeholders to submit feedback and memoranda by 26 March 2025, following an extension from the initial 5 March deadline. “This process is about building a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria,” he said, underscoring the importance of public input in shaping the nation’s constitutional framework.
