The National Assembly is currently reviewing several bills proposing the creation of new states in Nigeria, as part of an ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
These proposals, submitted in 2024 by lawmakers and various interest groups, have either scaled the first or second readings and are awaiting further deliberation and possible approval.
Presently, Nigeria comprises 36 states unevenly distributed across the six geopolitical zones.
The South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones each have six states, the North-West has seven, while the South-East has five.
Below is a list of proposed states and their sponsors:
1. Ogoja State – To be created from Cross River State, sponsored by Godwin Offiono.
2. Orlu State – To be carved out of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere and 15 other lawmakers.
3. Anioma State – To be carved out of Delta State, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko.
4. Coastal State – To be created from Ondo State, sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim.
5. Adada State – To be carved out of Enugu State, sponsored by Senator Okey Ezea.
6. New Oyo State – With Oyo town as the capital; the remaining part of the state will be renamed Ibadan State with Ibadan as its capital, sponsored by Senator Akeem Adeyemi and six others.
7. Etiti State – To be created from the five South-East states, sponsored by Senator Amobi Ogah and four others.
8. Ijebu State – To be carved out of Ogun State, sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel. This particular proposal is reportedly gaining significant traction and is expected to receive presidential approval soon.
9. Ife-Ijesa State – To be created from Osun State, sponsored by Senator Oluwole Oke.
10. Oke-Ogun State – To be created from Oyo State, sponsored by Oluwole Oke.
11. Tiga State – To be carved out of Kano State, sponsored by Senator Kawu Sumaila AbdulRahman.
Additional Proposed States
– ITAI State – From Akwa Ibom State.
– State Status for the FCT – Federal Capital Territory.
– Katagum State – From Bauchi State.
– Okura State – From Kogi East.
– Gurara State – From Kaduna South.
– Ghari State – From Kano State.
– Amana State – From Adamawa State.
– Gongola State – From Adamawa State.
– Mambilla State – From Taraba State.
– Savannah State – From Borno State.
– Okun State – From Kogi State.
– Orashi State – From Imo and Anambra states.
– Njaba State – From Imo State.
– Aba State – From Abia State.
– Torogbene and Oil River States– From Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states.
– Bayajida State – From parts of Katsina, Jigawa, and Zamfara states.
These proposals, if approved, could reshape Nigeria’s political and administrative landscape, addressing calls for equity and representation across the country.
