The National Assembly has commenced deliberations on constitutional amendment proposals seeking the creation of 55 new states and 278 additional local government areas across Nigeria.
The discussions began on Friday, October 24, 2025, during a two-day joint retreat of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, held in Lagos.
According to official documents presented at the retreat, the committees received 55 separate requests for new states, 278 for new local government areas, 69 bills seeking amendments to various constitutional provisions, and two petitions for boundary adjustments.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who addressed the opening session, said the committee would ensure a “people-centred” review process that reflects national interest and addresses long-standing concerns about governance, equity, and development.
“The Constitution belongs to the people of Nigeria. This review will be guided by transparency, inclusiveness, and a shared commitment to strengthening our federal structure,” Jibrin stated.
Analysts note that the proposals highlight renewed agitation for administrative restructuring and greater regional representation within Nigeria’s 25-year-old constitutional framework.
If approved, the creation of new states and LGAs would mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political and fiscal architecture, with implications for revenue allocation, representation, and public administration.
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Under Section 9 of the Constitution, amendments of this nature require approval by two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly and endorsement by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before presidential assent.
Nigeria currently has 36 states and 774 local government areas.
The last state creation exercise took place in 1996 under the administration of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, which brought the total number of states to 36.
The Constitution Review Committees are expected to hold zonal public hearings in the coming months to assess the viability of the proposals before forwarding a consolidated amendment bill to the National Assembly for debate.