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  • We’re only 39 days into 2025, and it’s already looking like the year Nigerians might have to unlearn the “state and capital” rhyme from primary school. In case you haven’t heard, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution just received a proposal to add 31 new states to the already existing 36.

    Since news of the proposal broke on February 6, Nigerians have had many questions about the development; we’ll answer some of them in this article.

    A little backstory 

    Before we get into the long list of proposed states, you need to know who the committee behind this proposal is and how much power it has. The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as the name suggests), is in charge of amending the Nigerian constitution we all know and reference.  If you’re not aware that the Constitution is getting amended, we don’t exactly blame you because the government hasn’t been the loudest about it (This is your cue to subscribe to Zikoko Citizen’s daily newsletter so nothing about Nigeria catches you by surprise)

    In February 2024, a constitution review committee was established with members from each of Nigeria’s 36 states. The committee includes key leaders from the House of Representatives, regional house groups, six women from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, representatives for People With Disabilities (PWDs), and members of civil rights groups. These guys have been working consistently to bring the updated constitution to life. 

    This committee is a big deal. If the majority of lawmakers from the Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly of the affected states agree, the proposal for new states could actually become part of the amended constitution.

    What new Nigerian states are lawmakers proposing?

    Here’s a breakdown of the proposed states: 

    North-Central

    • Benue Ala State – from Benue State
    • Okun State – from Kogi State
    • Okura State – from Kogi State
    • Confluence State – from Kogi State
    • Apa-Agba State – from Benue South Senatorial District
    • Apa State – from Benue State
    • Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja – to be recognized as the 37th state

    North-East

    • Amana State – from Adamawa State
    • Katagum State – from Bauchi State
    • Savannah State – from Borno State
    • Muri State – from Taraba State

    North-West

    • New Kaduna State & Gurara State – from Kaduna State
    • Tiga State – from Kano State
    • Kainji State – from Kebbi State
    • Ghari State – from Kano State

    South-East

    • Etiti State – proposed as the sixth state in the South-East region
    • Adada State – from Enugu State
    • Urashi State – proposed as the sixth state in the South-East region
    • Orlu State – from the South-East region
    • Aba State – from the South-East region

    South-South

    • Ogoja State – from Cross River State
    • Warri State – from Delta State
    • Bori State – from Rivers State
    • Obolo State – from parts of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States

    South-West

    • Toru-Ebe State – from Delta, Edo, and Ondo States
    • Ibadan State – from Oyo State
    • Lagoon State – from Lagos State
    • Ijebu State – from Ogun State
    • Lagoon State  – from Lagos and Ogun States
    • Ife-Ijesha State – from Oyo State
    • Oke-Ogun State – from parts of Ogun, Oyo, and Osun States

    Can Nigeria afford new states?

    Running 36 states is already a financial headache. Nigerian states currently owe over ₦11 trillion in debts, while the federal government owes over ₦134 trillion . Despite the shitload of debt these states are in, 32 out of the 36 Nigerian states still don’t have enough money to run their affairs. Most of these states depend heavily on allocations from the federal government. In 2023, 55% of state income came from the federal government (which is interesting because FG also depends on public debts). Now imagine adding 31 new states to the mix. More governors, lawmakers, and government agencies means more money that Nigeria doesn’t appear to have.

    Could this actually happen?

    The Nigerian constitution has a procedure for creating additional states, and according to those provisions, new states can be created if the following is done: First, most of the lawmakers representing the affected areas—at least two out of every three—must support the creation of the states. This includes senators, the House of Representatives, state assembly members, and local government councils.

    Next, the people in the area must vote, and at least two out of every three must say yes. When that’s done, more than half of Nigeria’s states must agree before the proposal moves forward.

    Finally, the National Assembly must give the final approval, with two out of every three lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Reps voting yes. If this proposal passes these stages, it could be written into the amended constitution. Judging by the fact that we woke up to a new national anthem one random morning in 2025, this proposal might be passed as law faster than anyone can say “Tinubu”. 

    What are the disadvantages of the creation of a new state in Nigeria?

    There are a handful of problems that could come with the creation of a new state but we’ll attempt to answer this question by referencing the problems that some of Nigeria’s youngest states currently face.

    You may or may not know this, but Nigeria only had 30 states up to 1996 when Bayelsa, Ebonyi  Ekiti,  Gombe,  Nasarawa, and Zamfara States were created and added to the mix. As we’ve already established earlier, these states are not generating enough revenue, but that’s not their worst problem. In states like Ebonyi, there have also been decade-long boundary disputes that have claimed the lives of several people. 

    Additional states, even as little as two, can potentially change things for Nigerians, so while the current proposal for 31 additional states might sound unachievable, a compromise on numbers is still possible. This is one of those proposals that can change everything for Nigerians.

    How can you influence the outcome of this current development?

    The most basic step towards influencing the outcome of whatever happens is to be informed about the situation. To keep up with the proposed state creation, subscribe to Zikoko Citizen’s daily newsletter. You can also set up a Google alert with “proposed 31 new states in Nigeria” as your keywords. Zikoko Citizen is also hosting Citizen Townhall, a hybrid event where young leaders and policymakers discuss ways to shape Nigeria’s future. Register here to join the conversation and make an impact.

  • Like everybody else, President Tinubu is back to work after a very intense, traffic-inducing Detty December. But unlike some of you who are yet to draw up your plans for the year, the president has shared the policies he plans to introduce in 2025. 

    If you typically yawn at the mention of policies, there are chances that you will enjoy this piece because I asked ChatJibiti (not to be mistaken for ChatGPT) to rank Tinubu’s new policies for me. 

    Multipurpose National Identity Card (ChatJibiti rating (2.5/5)

    President Tinubu is giving Nigerian fintech a run for their money with the proposed multipurpose National Identity Card. The president has approved the creation of identity cards that also double as payment cards—as in, cards that display your identity and net worth.

    With this new ID, you can withdraw money, pay for stuff online, and do anything with a payment card, no matter what bank you use. The federal government is partnering with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Afrigo payments to pull this off. They are also banking (pun is highly intended) on these cards to reach 100 million Nigerian citizens. So, there’s a high chance that you’ll be getting a new identity card soon. 

    What ChatJibiti thinks: Collecting this card might be a do-or-die affair judging by the federal government’s history of humbling Nigerians. In 2020, telecom companies and FG formed a toxic bromance, followed by threats to ban  sim cards of Nigerians who hadn’t registered for their National Identity Numbers (NIN). 

    You probably know the history better than I do, but the threat led to crazy queues that made the collection of NIN cards look like the devil’s idea. Seeing as the goal is to reach 100 million Nigerians (who are likely not interested in getting new IDs), I’d nicely suggest that you start getting ready for similar threats and queues. The card itself isn’t a bad idea because it will increase financial inclusion (especially in rural areas), which is stuck at 64%. I don’t hate it, and I don’t like it, so it’s a 2.5/5 for me.

    National Youth CONFAB (ChatJibiti rating (1.5/5)

    For a country whose population is largely made of young people, the Ministry of Youth has been inactive for way too long. Tinubu must be tired of paying the  salaries of everyone in the ministry and seeing no results because he’s finally giving the ministry real work.

    In October 2024, President Tinubu’s screen time hit the roof (because Nigerian youths had a lot to say about his administration on social media). Instead of clapping back like any other social media user, he made things slightly more physical by proposing a gathering of youths, fancily named The National Youth Confab. 

    The confab will be attended by young Nigerians from all over the country. They will be tasked with putting their heads together to propose solutions to social issues like education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The Ministry of Youth is likely to keep the selection process public and transparent, so there’s a chance you might be invited. 

    What ChatJibiti thinks: You might want to reduce your expectations to zero because a similar confab was pulled off during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and was an absolute mess. It was so messy that even the ideas birthed during the confab were never implemented. Forgive my pessimism, but I hope history doesn’t repeat itself. If it works out, though (and a president finally chooses to implement great ideas from the largest demography in the country), it could be a great thing. Very heavy on “could”, so I’d rate it 1.5/5.

    National Credit Guarantee Company  (ChatJibiti rating (4/5)

    The president wants to “enhance living standards” by making it easier for Nigerians and key sectors of the economy to access credit. 

    What ChatJibiti thinks: Nigerians need more loans than ever before (thanks to some famous policies by the same president who’s proposing this new policy). I’m not mad at this at all because it means easier access to loans for average Nigerians and businesses when it kicks off in the second quarter of 2025. I still don’t know all the details, but it’s good thinking on Tinubu’s end. 

     Tax Reform Bill  (ChatJibiti rating (2/5)

    The tax reform bills are four separate laws designed to organize everything about taxes and how they’re managed in Nigeria into clear categories.

    These bills are still being debated in the National Assembly, but they are expected to be passed in the coming months. Although several Nigerians and some leaders are still against these reforms, President Tinubu doesn’t seem like he can be talked out of implementing them as soon as possible. 

    What ChatJibiti thinks: Taxes are important, especially for a country that’s still struggling to monetize its non-oil sectors. But one of the tax reforms the president is proposing includes an increase in Value-Added Taxes (VAT). Not only will this make basic items like food, electricity, and transportation more expensive, but it will also contribute to the financial frustration Nigerians are currently facing. I think the president needs to go back to the drawing board for this one. 

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  • One thing about Nigerians: we will “God abeg” our way out of the craziest situations. But thanks to Nigerian policymakers, even the loudest of God abeg’s proved impotent in 2024. 

    I don’t have plans to trigger any PTSD, but what’s a 2024 recap without a compilation of the worst policies that hit Nigeria within the year? 

    From “God abeg” to “Affliction shall not arise again”, here are 2024’s most interesting policies. 

    New National Anthem Bill

    In May 2024, Nigerian lawmakers signed the National Anthem Bill, pushing for a return to the old anthem ( written by a British man), “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

    Even though we’ve learned to live with it, the decision didn’t sit right with many Nigerians, especially given how quickly it was passed when the country had more pressing issues to address. Despite public criticism, this bill wasn’t withdrawn, and Nigerian lawmakers didn’t act like they gave two shits about public opinion.

    We’ve gone through all five stages of grief as a country. Some of us have arrived at acceptance while others are somehow stuck in the sixth stage of national grief – the no be Tinubu go tell me wetin I go do stage. 

    6-year presidency bill

    In June 2024, a group of 35 lawmakers proposed a bill that would have extended the maximum number of presidential and gubernatorial leadership from four years to six years for a single term. The proposal attempted to amend Sections 7, 135, 137, 180 and 182 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. The lawmakers involved claimed the bill would cut governance costs and lead to a more stable political climate. But Nigerians haven’t had enough luck with good leaders to buy into that dream. 

    The lawmakers behind the bill have lowkey ghosted, and we haven’t heard about it for a while.

    VAPP repeal bill

    In August, the worst fear of many Nigerian women happened. Senator Jibrin Isah, a MAN in governance, started pushing to repeal the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act. If this is your first time hearing about this act, the first thing you need to know is that it offers protection against gender-based violence (GBV) for men and women and helps keep all genders safe, empowered, and educated throughout Nigeria. You should also know that Nigeria didn’t have a national law on violence against women before the VAPP Act.

    In 2002, over 55 groups formed the Legislative Advocacy Coalition Against Violence Against Women (LACVAW) to advocate for women’s protection. Their efforts led to the VAPP Act, which was passed and signed into law in 2015. 

    Senator Jibrin’s main argument in calling for the repeal is that the act is not comprehensive and has unclear parts that make it hard to enforce properly. He argues that the law needs to be updated to reflect today’s issues. After being met with criticism from women’s rights groups and Nigerian women, the bill’s future started looking shaky. It’s hard to figure out whether Senator Jibrin is still standing on business, but we won’t be surprised if he pops up again in 2025 with the same energy.

    Road Safety Special Armed Squad Bill

    In October, a bill proposing that Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officers should be allowed to carry guns to perform their duties passed its second reading, with the majority of the lawmakers in the House of Representatives supporting it.

    Speaker of the House Abbas Tajudeen, who also inaugurated the constitution review committee, even called it a “straightforward bill” before sending it to the FRSC committee for further review and action. 

    This was a questionable move because some FRSC officers have a history of demanding bribes from drivers and assaulting them when they resist.

    Young Nigerians were at the receiving end of Police brutality under SARS and still suffer Police brutality even after SARS was scrapped;  if patterns are anything to go by, they are at the greatest risk of being profiled and assaulted by power-drunk officers of the FRSC once they get their guns. To make sure this doesn’t happen, tons of them took to social media to speak out against this bill when the news hit the street, arguing that officers of the FRSC don’t need guns to perform their duties. Still, lawmakers have been really quiet about this kickback from young Nigerians, and like many other things in Nigeria, the future of the bill is still uncertain.

    Bill seeking to expand Sharia law

    On October 24, Aliyu Misau, a Nigerian lawmaker, proposed a bill that would have given the Sharia  Law more power in the Nigerian constitution. Many Northern lawmakers were on board with the idea despite the fact that Nigeria is a multi-religious country. After some spirited back-and-forth, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu put the bill to a voice vote, and a majority of lawmakers voted against it. But to some Nigerians, the fact that it was even raised was enough reason to be concerned. 

    VAT increase bill

    October was definitely the month of unpleasant surprises because that was the same month that the National Assembly started considering a bill that would increase the Value Added Tax (VAT) paid by Nigerians from 7.5% to 10%.


    If you think 10% doesn’t sound that bad, you’d hate to know that the 10% increase is the first of three VAT increases these lawmakers are discussing. The bill proposes that the 10% will take effect in 2025, while another  12. 5% increase will take effect in 2026 and last until 2029.  This VAT hike (if it happens) will be charged on every taxable item, so you might have to throw your “I’ll buy it in 2025” plans into the trash now. We can still hope for a Christmas miracle because your favourite lawmakers are putting the bill on pause till 2025 to enjoy their oblee plans.

    Telecom tax bill

    The people around President Tinubu must have forgotten to remind him that he once publicly advocated for poor people’s right to breeffff because we saw the worst of billing in October.

    A bill, which has a weird long name (“A Bill for an Act to Repeal Certain Acts on Taxation and Consolidate the Legal Frameworks relating to Taxation and Enact the Nigeria Tax Act to Provide for Taxation of Income, Transactions, and Instruments, and Related Matters,”), hit the National assembly. The bill proposed a 5% increase in the cost of telecom services that over 215 million Nigerians use every day.

    This bill didn’t just target telecom services; it was also designed to introduce gaming, gambling, lotteries, and betting taxes. It hasn’t been passed yet but don’t be surprised to see it in the news again after Detty December.

    Nigerian lawmakers had us screaming “blood of Jesus” every three market days with these questionable policies. Given that we still don’t know what happened to some of these bills, we’re not sure that the craziness will not extend into 2025.

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