Nigeria is currently made up of 36 states (plus the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja) — a federal structure that has evolved dramatically since independence.
But state-creation is far more than lines on a map: it’s about power, ethnicity, resource control, development and politics.
A recent development underscores this: the joint committee of the legislature approved the creation of an additional state for the South-East zone, after efforts by Benjamin Kalu and others. This isn’t just a local story—it illustrates the ongoing pressures in Nigeria’s federal architecture.
Let’s unpack the history, motivations, arguments for and against, the constitutional hurdles, and the likely futures. Strap in.
A Brief History Of State Creation
* In 1967, under Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s 4 regional structure was replaced with 12 states.
* In 1976, under Murtala Muhammed, 7 new states were created, bringing the total to 19.
* In 1987 and 1991, under Ibrahim Babangida, two more then nine more states were created, reaching 30.
* In 1996, under Sani Abacha, six additional states brought the total to 36.
What’s key to note: after Abacha’s wave, no further official states have been added — yet the agitation never stopped.
What’s Driving The Demand For More States?
On the surface, the arguments often sound reasonable:
* Disadvantaged zones say they get fewer resources and less representation; e.g., the South East currently has five states while some other zones have six or seven.
* Minority ethnic groups claim marginalisation and seek their “own” state to manage their affairs.
* The idea of bringing governance closer to the people: smaller states might mean more responsive government.
But scratch a little and you find deeper, more controversial motives:
* Creating a new state means more titles, more governor seats, more federal allocations—and more patronage.
* Powerful elites in regions may push for carving out new states as power-bases, not always for genuine development.
* There’s a tug-of-war between national unity and ethnic/regional assertions of identity.
What Are The Arguments Against Creating More States?
Yes, there are loud voices saying: “We already have 36 — why create more?” Here are their main points:
* Economic viability: Many states are heavily dependent on federal allocations rather than internally-generated revenue.
* Cost of governance: More states = more bureaucracy, more duplication, more cost. Could mean less for infrastructure and more for administrative overhead.
* Dilution of federalism: Some scholars argue the proliferation undermines true federalism, turning Nigeria into a series of mini-states that still depend on the centre.
* Victory by elites, not people: Critics claim state creation is often driven by political maneuvering rather than grassroots demand.
Why The Recent South-East Push Matters
According to reports, the joint committee approved the creation of an additional state for the South-East region following advocacy by Benjamin Kalu.
Why this is significant:
* It raises the question of equity: if one geographical zone is seen to have fewer states than others, does that matter?
* It signals that the pressure for more states is alive and current, not just historical.
* It may spark copycat demands in other zones, potentially unleashing a new wave of state-creation agitation.
* It might force Nigeria to revisit the logic of its entire federal architecture: if we keep adding states, where do we stop?
Contested Logic
Creating states in Nigeria has been a central part of its federation’s evolution—from 4 regions, to 12 states, to 19, then 30, and ultimately 36.
Yet the logic behind new states is contested: Are they engines of progress, or monuments to political ambition? The recent development in the South-East suggests the debate is far from over.
For Nigeria to truly benefit from state creation, the discourse must shift from how many states to how effective those states are.
Because without sound governance and economic viability, more states may simply mean more cost and less benefit.
Will Nigeria keep carving states in search of fairness? Or will it rethink the whole model and instead focus on strengthening what we already have? That is the question—and one every citizen should care about.
