Analyst Mentions One New State Likely to Be Approved After 7 Scaled Second Reading
- Seven proposed states across Nigeria recently scaled second reading in the House of Representatives, marking a fresh push for constitutional restructuring
- Lawmakers from different regions sponsored the bills, which could reshape Nigeria’s governance if approved
- Analysts suggested that Orlu state appeared the most likely to gain approval, as it would bring the South‑East region into parity with other zones
Seven bills proposing the creation of new states in Nigeria successfully scaled second reading in the House of Representatives, signalling renewed momentum for constitutional restructuring.
Lawmakers from different regions sponsored the bills, which aim to carve out new administrative entities from existing states.
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If eventually passed, these changes could significantly reshape Nigeria’s geopolitical landscape and governance framework.
List of proposed states
The seven proposed states are:
• Ibadan state
• Orlu state
• Tiga state
• Etiti state
• Oke-Ogun state
• Ife-Ijesa state
• Ijebu state
Analyst highlights Orlu state
Speaking with Legit.ng, Nigerian policy analyst AbdulRasheed Hussain noted that one of the proposed states appeared more likely to be approved than the others.
He stated:
“From my perspective, among the seven proposed states that have passed second reading, Orlu State stands out as the most likely to eventually be approved. This is because the National Assembly has already signaled its intent to ensure the South‑East region attains parity with other regions by having six states. Currently, the South‑East has only five, making it the sole region underrepresented in Nigeria’s federal structure.”
Implications for governance
Observers suggested that the approval of any of these states would mark a major step in Nigeria’s constitutional restructuring process.
The move is believed could address long-standing debates about representation, equity, and administrative efficiency across the country’s diverse regions.
On October 26, 2025, the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review approved the creation of a new state in Nigeria’s South‑East region.
The decision was reached during a two‑day retreat in Lagos, where the committee reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.
Chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and co‑chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the committee resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should establish an additional state to bring the South‑East in line with other geopolitical zones.
What is the function of National Assembly?
The Nigerian National Assembly functions as the country’s bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
It is primarily responsible for making laws that regulate government activities, overseeing the executive branch, and representing the interests of citizens.
The Assembly also controls public finances and monitors ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure accountability. The Senate comprised 109 members, while the House of Representatives had 360 members, each representing constituencies across Nigeria.
List of proposed new states in Nigeria
Legit.ng earlier reported that several bills proposing the creation of new states in Nigeria have successfully passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.
These developments have signalled growing momentum for constitutional amendments aimed at restructuring the geopolitical landscape.
Here is a comprehensive listicle detailing each proposed state, the sponsoring lawmakers, and the regions affected.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
