A proposal to create 31 new states across Nigeria has ignited widespread debate since its announcement on February 6, 2025.
This constitutional amendment, if implemented, would increase Nigeria’s states from 36 to 67, impacting all six geopolitical zones.
Proposed states include new entities in the North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-South, and South-West, aiming to address perceived regional imbalances and empower marginalized communities.
Critics argue against further fragmentation, with some calling for a return to regionalism instead.
Regional bodies such as Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, argue that creating new states is a political distraction that could weaken governance and exacerbate economic inefficiencies.
They advocate for constitutional reforms focusing on state autonomy and resource control rather than state expansion.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) echoes similar concerns, while the Igbo group Ohanaeze Ndigbo demands additional states for the South-East, which it views as underrepresented.
Legal experts also oppose the move, with Senior Advocate Mike Ozekhome dismissing the initiative as wasteful, arguing that most states are financially unviable and that the creation of more states would deepen Nigeria’s economic issues.
In contrast, some, like former Voice of Nigeria Director-General Osita Okechukwu, view the proposal as a means to strengthen national unity.
The debate has also generated significant social media commentary, with some calling the proposal a political power grab.
Legal analyst C.I. Nnamani believes that Nigeria’s real challenges lie in economic policies, not the number of states, and stresses the need for development-focused reforms rather than bureaucratic expansion.
This article was updated 22 hours ago
