Proposal for Creation of 31 New States in Nigeria Sparks Widespread Controversy, Dividing Opinions Across Political, Regional, and Socio-Cultural Groups
A proposal by the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee to create 31 new states in Nigeria, in addition to the country’s 36 existing states, has triggered a storm of reactions from prominent Nigerians and various groups across the nation.
The proposal, contained in a letter read to the House during Thursday’s plenary by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, has been met with strong criticism from several quarters.
Among the major groups opposing the move are the Yoruba socio-cultural organization Afenifere and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). Both groups have described the idea as impractical and harmful to Nigeria’s governance structure. Afenifere’s National Organizing Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, expressed that the proposal contradicted the organization’s long-standing advocacy for true federalism, emphasizing that creating more states would not resolve the core structural issues facing Nigeria. According to Omololu, the financial burden of additional states would be unsustainable, especially given that many existing states already rely heavily on federal allocations.
The ACF also voiced their objections, with Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, criticizing the proposed creation of new states as unnecessary and economically unviable. He pointed out that many of the current 36 states were already struggling to sustain themselves, and the creation of more states would only add to the economic and administrative burden. Muhammad-Baba emphasized that the priority should be addressing the socio-economic challenges of the people, not expanding the number of states.
In contrast, other groups, such as the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, have supported the proposal, viewing it as an opportunity to address Nigeria’s historical inequities. Dr. Bitrus Pogu, the National President of MBF, welcomed the creation of new states, particularly citing the example of Southern Borno, which has never produced a governor. He argued that the proposal would help address power imbalances and promote more inclusive governance.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, however, expressed concerns over the number of states allocated to the South-East region, which they believe has been historically marginalized in terms of state creation. Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the organization’s National Publicity Secretary, criticized the bill for appropriating only five states to the South-East, despite the region’s significant contributions to the country’s development. Ohanaeze has called for a greater number of states to be allocated to the South-East to rectify this perceived injustice.
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) also weighed in, suggesting that the creation of new states should be done with a focus on self-sustainability. Christopher Ominimini, the forum’s spokesman, called for an equal distribution of states across the country to ensure fairness, pointing out that the North-West already has seven states and other regions should receive proportional allocations. PANDEF also questioned whether the new states would be economically viable, highlighting concerns about the Niger Delta region’s dependency on oil and gas revenue.
The proposed new states include Okun, Okura, and Confluence from Kogi; Benue Ala and Apa from Benue; Amana from Adamawa; Katagum from Bauchi; Tiga and Ari from Kano; Muri from Taraba; and several others from regions across the country. These states are spread across the North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-South, South-West, and South-East regions.
The proposal requires support from at least a third of members in the House of Representatives and the local government councils in the respective areas before it can move forward. It also stipulates that the National Assembly must receive formal endorsement from state houses of assembly through a referendum.
Despite the push for the creation of more states, several former lawmakers and government officials have criticized the proposal. Ex-Senator Haruna Garba, who represented Gombe North, called the number of proposed states “unbelievable” and questioned the country’s ability to sustain 67 states. He suggested that instead of adding states, Nigeria should focus on strengthening the existing local government system and addressing economic challenges at the grassroots level.
Former members of the House of Representatives, including Barth Nnanna from Anambra, also expressed concerns about the proposal’s feasibility. Nnanna pointed out that the addition of 31 new states would make governance more cumbersome and chaotic. He suggested that Nigeria should instead return to a regional system of government, which would better address the needs of its diverse population.
The proposal also faces opposition from some governors, who argue that it could create unnecessary administrative and financial burdens. Former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Markson Fefegha, is one of the few voices in favor of the proposal, viewing it as an opportunity for more localized development, with new state capitals and local government areas.
The debate over the proposed creation of 31 new states is expected to intensify as the public continues to voice strong opinions. As it stands, the proposal remains in the early stages and will be subject to further scrutiny before any decisions are made.
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