House Of Reps Extends State Creation Proposal Deadline—What’s Next For Nigeria’s Future?

House spokesperson Akin Rotimi announced the decision on Monday, stating that the extension was granted in response to public requests for additional time to refine and resubmit proposals in line with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

On February 7, 2025, the House Committee on Constitution Review revealed that it had received proposals for 31 new states but noted that none met the constitutional requirements.

Criteria for State and Local Government Creation

To be considered, proposals must meet the following conditions:

• State Creation: Approval from at least two-thirds of elected representatives in the affected area, including the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and local government councils.
• Local Government Creation: Approval by the State House of Assembly, followed by a referendum whose results must be submitted to the National Assembly for legislative action.

Submission Guidelines

• Hard copies (three copies) must be submitted to the Committee Secretariat at Room H331, House of Representatives White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
• Soft copies should be sent via email to info@hccr.gov.ng.
• The final deadline for submission is Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, reassured Nigerians of the House’s commitment to a transparent and constitutionally sound process.

“Our goal is to ensure a thorough and lawful process that genuinely reflects the aspirations of Nigerians for state and local government creation,” Kalu stated.