CSO Warns On Inherent Danger In Creation of More States

By Chinedu Echianu

Notable civil society organisation, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness has strongly condemned any proposal for the creation of new states in Nigeria, insisting that such action would not only worsen the country’s current economic crisis but would also lead to heightened regional disparities, escalating governance costs, and distract from the critical reforms and policies necessary to improve the lives of Nigerians across the country.

The House of Representatives, through its committee on constitution review, had recently released a proposal for the creation of thirty-one additional states to the current thirty-six state structure.

However, in a position paper condeming the proposal, the Director General of the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu urged policymakers, opinion leaders, and the general public to prioritize pressing developmental needs over cosmetic political restructuring.

According to the paper; “The focus should remain on enhancing the efficiency and viability of existing states, tackling economic challenges head-on, and fostering true national unity. The call for new states is neither a panacea for our problems nor a justifiable use of national resources at this time.

“As it stands, Nigeria is currently composed of 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory. A disconcerting number of these states are not financially viable. Many states are unable to meet basic obligations, such as paying the minimum wage of ₦70,000.

The crux of the matter is that some states have reached a point of insolvency, making the idea of creating new states—a process that demands additional financial resources—even more untenable. Rather than resolving existing state-level inefficiencies, the introduction of new states would only compound financial burdens on an already strained federation.

“The timing of these proposals is troubling, especially as we engage in discussions aimed at reducing the cost of governance in Nigeria.

The addition of 31 new states would inherently lead to an increase in legislative assemblies, senators, and representatives, thereby inflating the political structure rather than streamlining it.

Rather than focusing on mechanisms to enhance governance efficiency, we would instead be entrenching a model that is financially unsustainable.

“Moreover, the pressing issues that Nigeria faces—ranging from rampant insecurity, widespread unemployment, inadequate healthcare, and dwindling infrastructure—demand our immediate attention and resources. At this pivotal moment, the creation of new states distracts from tackling these fundamental concerns. It is crucial to consider how we can strengthen existing governance structures, enhance service delivery, and ensure that government revenues transparently address the needs of our citizens, rather than atrophying under the weight of new state establishments.”