The House of Representatives has extended the deadline for the submission of memoranda on the creation of new states and local governments to March 26, 2025. This decision, announced on Monday, follows public requests for additional time to refine and resubmit legislative proposals in compliance with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
House Spokesperson Akin Rotimi stated that the extension was necessary to ensure that proposals meet constitutional requirements. On February 7, 2025, the House Committee on Constitution Review revealed that it had received memoranda for the creation of 31 additional states but noted that none of the proposals met the constitutional criteria.
For state creation proposals to be considered, they must garner support from at least two-thirds of elected parliamentarians representing the affected area in the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and local government councils. Similarly, proposals for local government creation require the outcome of votes by the State House of Assembly and a referendum, which must be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative action.
Submission guidelines include three hard copies to be sent to the Secretariat of the Committee Room H331, House of Representatives White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Soft copies should be emailed to: info@hccr.gov.ng.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, emphasized the importance of a thorough and constitutionally compliant process.
“Our goal remains to facilitate a thorough and constitutionally compliant process that addresses legitimate aspirations for state and local government creation. The House of Representatives is dedicated to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that all legislative processes align with constitutional provisions and the broader interests of the Nigerian people,” Kalu said.
The extension provides stakeholders with additional time to refine their proposals and ensure they meet the necessary constitutional requirements.
