The deadline for the submission of memoranda on the creation of new states and local governments has been extended by the House of Representatives to March 26, 2025.

House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, revealed in a statement that the decision followed a public demand for additional time to refine and resubmit their legislative proposals in compliance with Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The House Committee on Constitution Review had on February 7, 2025, announced that it received memoranda to create an additional 31 states.

The committee, however, stated that none of the proposals met the constitutional requirement.

The committee revealed that the proposals for state creation must meet specific requirements, including support from at least two-thirds majority of elected parliamentarians representing the affected area in the Senate, House of Representatives, state House of Assembly, and local government councils.

For local government creation, the outcome of votes by the state House of Assembly and the outcome of the referendum must be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative action.

The submission guidelines included three hard copies to be transmitted to the Secretariat of the Committee Room H331, House of Representatives White House, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The statement noted that soft copies should be emailed to: info@hccr.gov.ng, adding that deadline is Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, said, “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,” he said.