The House of Representatives has extended the deadline for the submission of memoranda regarding the creation of new states and local governments in Nigeria to March 26, 2025. This decision was made in response to public requests for more time to refine and resubmit proposals that comply with the requirements outlined in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Previously, on February 7, 2025, the House Committee on Constitution Review had reported receiving memoranda for the creation of 31 new states. However, none of these proposals met the constitutional requirements for consideration. To be eligible, proposals for state creation must garner support from a two-thirds majority of elected parliamentarians from the affected area across the Senate, House of Representatives, state House of Assembly, and local government councils.
For local government creation, the proposals must be backed by votes from the state House of Assembly and the results of a referendum, which must then be submitted to the National Assembly for legislative action.
The guidelines for submitting proposals require three hard copies to be sent to the Secretariat of the Committee at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Soft copies should be emailed to info@hccr.gov.ng, and the final submission deadline is set for March 26, 2025.
Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committee on Constitution Review, emphasized that the goal is to ensure a thorough, constitutionally compliant process that addresses the legitimate desires of Nigerians for the creation of new states and local governments. He affirmed the House’s commitment to upholding democratic principles while adhering to constitutional provisions.
