PeakNews Online
The House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee’s proposal to create 31 additional states in Nigeria has triggered widespread reactions from prominent Nigerians and socio-political groups across the country.
The proposal, contained in a letter read during Thursday’s plenary by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, seeks to increase Nigeria’s state count from 36 to 67. However, it has already met stiff opposition from groups such as Afenifere and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), who have dismissed the move as unnecessary and economically unsustainable.
Breakdown of the Proposed States
The proposal suggests new states across all geopolitical zones, including:
North-Central: Okun, Okura, Confluence (Kogi); Benue Ala, Apa (Benue); FCT State
North-East: Amana (Adamawa), Katagum (Bauchi), Savannah (Borno), Muri (Taraba)
North-West: New Kaduna, Gurara (Kaduna), Tiga, Ari (Kano), Kainji (Kebbi)
South-East: Etiti, Orashi, Adada (Enugu), Orlu, Aba
South-South: Ogoja (Cross River), Warri (Delta), Ori, Obolo (Rivers)
South-West: Torumbe (Ondo), Ibadan (Oyo), Lagoon (Lagos), Ijebu (Ogun), Oke Ogun/Ijesha (Oyo/Ogun/Osun)
Opposition from Socio-Political Groups
Afenifere Rejects Proposal, Calls for True Federalism
The Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has outrightly rejected the proposal, stating that it ignores the core structural issues Nigeria faces.
Afenifere’s National Organizing Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, said:
“Creating more states without economic viability will worsen Nigeria’s financial crisis. Many existing states cannot sustain themselves without federal allocations. Instead of increasing the number of states, Nigeria needs true federalism where power is devolved, and states control their resources.”
Afenifere urged the National Assembly to prioritize constitutional reforms that would:
Devolve more powers to states
Return resource control to regions
Allow states to drive economic growth independently
Arewa Consultative Forum: “A Ridiculous Move”
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also dismissed the proposal, calling it politically motivated and unrealistic. The group argued that the focus should be on strengthening existing states rather than multiplying administrative burdens.
Legislative Process and Next Steps
The proposal requires a constitutional amendment, which means it must:
Secure two-thirds majority support in the House of Representatives
Gain approval from the Senate
Obtain backing from at least 24 out of 36 state assemblies
Given the strong opposition from major political blocs, the bill faces an uphill battle in the legislative process.
While some argue that new states could promote inclusivity and bring governance closer to the people, others insist that Nigeria’s real problem is structural inefficiency, not the number of states.
With mounting economic challenges and fiscal constraints, many believe that a focus on devolution of powers and regional autonomy would be a more sustainable path forward.
