Constitution Review: Does Nigeria Need More States To Be Created Now?

Patrick Wemambu

Going down the memory boulevard, the history of state creation in contemporary Nigeria could be traced to 1967 – after the Civil War – when General Yakubu Gowon created 12 states to replace the then 4 regions in existence before Independence.

These later metarmorphosed over the years culminating into 19, then 21, 30 and finally 36 presently. All created by succeeding Nigerian heads of states. Befuddling, however, is the realization that justifications for creating these legal entities were mainly informed by political considerations as opposed to economic viability.

Agitations were often dogged by rancour following complaints of ethnic, cultural and administrative imbalances. Which was why existing states were divided, merged and restructured towards preserving Nigeria’s cultural diversity.

On the march again, Nigeria is currently witnessing a massive public buzz as its federating units may soon expand to 67 excluding LGAs following proposals for 31 new states to enhance governance, regional representation and economic development.

The proposed states include Benue Ala, Okun, Apa, Okura, Confluence, Apa-Agba and Federal Capital Territory all from the North Central geopolitical zone. North East has Amana, Katagum, Savannah and Muri with New Kaduna, Gurara, Tiga, Kainji and Ghari from the North West.

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While Etiti, Adada, Urashi, Orlu and Aba are to emerge from the South East; Ogoja, Warri, Bori and Obolo should have no difficulty flying the South South flag. South West boasts of Toru-Ebe, Ibadan, Lagoon, Ijebu, Oke-Ogun and Ife-Ijesha.

By the way, what are the requirements for creating new states? Section 8 (1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (As Amended) states that: An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new State shall only be passed if:

“(a) a request, 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, and

“(iii) the local government councils in respect of the area are 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 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; and

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

Perhaps it is pertinent to note that, owing largely to the stringent conditionalities precedent, no State has been created since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.

Little wonder, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review who doubles as the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu stated over the weekend that none of the 31 requests for State creation received by the Constitution review committee met the constitutional requirements.

Consequently, the submission deadline has been extended to March 5, 2025, to allow applicants to fulfill the necessary provisions.

Disclosing this while addressing a two-day retreat for members of the constitution review committee in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Kalu expressed dismay that all the requests in question had to be rejected.

“Although we received 31 requests for State creation, none of the requests met the requirements. Thus, we have since extended the submission to the 5th of March 2025,” he said.

Even as it is the constiitutional right of the people emanating from their desire to enjoy more dividends of democracy, some pundits have pooh-poohed the deluge of requests for creation of additional states in Nigeria.

In an editorial 11th February 2025, titled “State Creation? Again, We Say Perish The Thought,” This Day Newspaper posited that the agitation for state creation was unreasonable.

“At a period when most critical observers argue that the current 36 state-structure should be collapsed into the six geopolitical zones, we fail to understand the obsession with the idea of creating more cost centres for the country,” the publication said.

Noting that those who promote creation of new states regard it as part of national restructuring exercise to ensure equity and justice, it observed that recent developments have shown that this is not usually the case, as it seems the more states are created the farther government is from the people.

Having examined the views of opponents of state creation, let us at this juncture interrogate the opinion of proponents of this argument.

Senator Osita Izunaso, representing Imo East Senatorial zone and his counterpart, Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga, member, representing Ideato North and South in the House of Representatives, have variously demanded an additional state in the South East zone.

According to the law-makers, this is to tackle what they term one among the many obvious acts of marginalisation the Igbos have suffered for years.

They stress that among the six geo political zones in Nigeria, North-West has seven states while North-East, North-Central, South-South and South-West all have six states each except for South-East with only five states.

In the final analysis, while conceding to the prerogative of concerned Nigerian people agitating for more states to push their proposals through, one can only plead that the right should be exercised with the greatest sense of responsibility.

Section 8 (1-3) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (As Amended) is very explicit on the matter. And as March 5, 2025 extension date for applicants to fulfil the necessary aforementioned requirements approaches, provisions of the above section of the Constitution should be followed judiciously.

To the honourable parliamentarians, they would do well to maintain the position of unbiased umpires. With transparency, justice and fairness, the law-makers should be able to execute this national project with little or no hindrances.