By John Umeh
The long-standing demand for Ibadan to attain statehood moved a step closer on Thursday after the House of Representatives passed for second reading a bill seeking the creation of Ibadan State out of the present Oyo State.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Abass Adigun (Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency), proposes an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to formally recognize Ibadan as Nigeria’s newest state. During plenary, Adigun described the move as a matter of justice and equity, citing the city’s population, landmass, and historical significance.
According to him, Ibadan—once the capital of the old Western Region and still one of Nigeria’s largest cities—deserves the same recognition as former regional capitals like Enugu and Kaduna, both of which later became states. “This bill represents a monumental step toward equitable development through federalism and the realization of the long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan,” he declared.
Adigun argued that some local government areas in Ibadan are larger than several LGAs in smaller states such as Bayelsa, though this drew objections from Hon. Obuku Ofurji (Yenagoa/Opokuma Constituency), who described the comparison as disrespectful. The sponsor later apologized but maintained that his point about Ibadan’s size and potential for self-governance was valid.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu referred the bill to the Committee on Constitutional Review for further consideration.
The push for Ibadan State comes amid broader nationwide agitation for new states to address regional imbalances and improve resource allocation. Just weeks ago, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure Ibadan State becomes a reality before 2027, calling it a matter of historical recognition.
However, the road ahead remains steep. Under Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the creation of a new state requires:
-
A two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the National Assembly,
-
Approval by the House of Assembly of the affected state,
-
Consent of at least two-thirds of local government councils in the area,
-
A referendum by two-thirds of the residents in the proposed state, and
-
Ratification by a majority of all 36 states of the federation.
These hurdles explain why no new state has been created since 1999, despite numerous proposals. Still, the successful second reading of the Ibadan State bill marks a symbolic win for its advocates and renews hope that their long quest for statehood may finally gain legislative traction.
