List of 31 proposed new states in Nigeria emerges

The Nigerian Senate has begun reviewing 31 new proposals for the creation of additional states as part of ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution.

The requests are coming from across the country, with the North-East submitting seven, the North-West six, the South-East three, and five each from the South-West, South-South, and North-Central regions.

The Senate Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, is organizing zonal public hearings to allow citizens contribute their views.

These hearings will take place simultaneously in Lagos, Enugu, Ikot Ekpene, Jos, Maiduguri, and Kano on July 4 and 5, 2025.

From the North-Central, the proposed states include:
-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, and
-a 37th state that will be named Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

From the North-East, the proposed states are:
-Amana State from Adamawa State,
-Katagum State from Bauchi State,
-Savannah State from Borno State, and
-Muri State from Taraba State.

From the North-West, the list includes:
-New Kaduna State and Gurara State from Kaduna State,
-Tiga State from Kano State,
-Kainji State from Kebbi State, and
-Ghari State from Kano State.

In the South-East, the proposed states are:
-Etiti State, which will be the sixth state for the South East geopolitical zone,
-Adada State from Enugu State,
-Urashi State from the South East geopolitical zone,
-Orlu State from the South Eastern region of Nigeria, and
-Aba State from the South Eastern region of Nigeria.

For the South-South, the proposed states are:
-Ogoja State from Cross River State,
-Warri State from Delta State,
-Bori State from Rivers State, and
-Obolo State from Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

Finally, from the South-West, the proposals include:
-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, and
-Ife-Ijesha State from Oyo and Osun States.

Other proposed states that are not yet officially considered or may be taken up later include ANIM State, from parts of Anambra and Imo, and Abak State, from Akwa Ibom.

Some of these bills have already passed second reading and more are still being proposed across the country

As part of the constitutional review process, lawmakers are also considering giving full autonomy to the 774 local government areas.

This includes a bill to officially recognize local government councils as a constitutional level of government and another to establish an independent body to conduct their elections.

The committee is also reviewing 20 bills aimed at reforming the judiciary.

These cover areas such as timelines for delivering court judgments and expanding the powers of election tribunals.

In the area of security, there are proposals to create state police forces and state security councils to help improve safety across the states.

Fiscal reforms are also on the table, including plans to strengthen revenue allocation processes and compel governors and the president to present their budgets within a specific timeframe.

A separate proposal seeks to provide additional seats for women in both the National and State Assemblies, while another bill seeks allowing Nigerians in the diaspora to vote in national elections.

Also under discussion is a proposal to allow independent candidates to contest elections at all levels.

Traditional rulers may also get a formal role in governance if the proposed National and State Councils of Traditional Rulers become law.

To decentralize control, lawmakers are also reviewing bills to move items like labour and shipping from the Exclusive to the Concurrent Legislative List, giving states more powers.

The committee urged Nigerians to take part in the public hearings, stressing that their input is needed to shape a constitution that better reflects current realities and aspirations.