A fresh wave of debate has greeted the proposal for the creation of Ibadan State, following the House of Representatives’ approval of the bill’s second reading on Thursday. The bill seeks to carve out a new state from the present Oyo State and parts of Ondo State, reigniting conversations around restructuring and equitable representation in Nigeria’s federal system.
The agitation for the new state, championed by Hon. Abass Adigun, representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, and recently re-echoed by the newly installed Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, during his coronation, has become a focal point of public discourse in the South-West.
At his coronation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Oba Ladoja made a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the creation of Ibadan State, stating, “My people sent me a message to Mr President. Mr President, they said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority.”
The monarch’s call, coupled with parliamentary progress on the bill, has set the stage for political and public debate across the region.
A Push for Fair Representation
Leading the debate on the floor of the House, Hon. Adigun described the bill as a “monumental step toward equitable development through true federalism and the fulfilment of the long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan.”
He argued that Ibadan, which served as the capital of the old Western Region, deserves full state recognition, much like Enugu and Kaduna, which became state capitals long ago.
According to him, Ibadan has the “population size, economic capacity, and landmass required to merit statehood,” adding that “a single local government in Ibadan is larger than three combined local governments in Bayelsa State.”
The proposal, however, has generated mixed reactions, with some stakeholders lauding the initiative as timely, while others believe the region has more pressing developmental priorities.
“South-West Doesn’t Need a New State Now” – Aiyedatiwa’s Aide
In a contrary view, Hon. Akindele Adeniyi, Senior Special Assistant on Mobilisation to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, dismissed the idea as premature and unnecessary.
Adeniyi maintained that the region should focus on economic stabilisation and regional cooperation rather than boundary adjustments.He said, “We have six states in the South-West already. Creating Ibadan State and removing part of Ondo to join another area is not what we should be doing at this moment. The focus should be on stabilising what’s on ground and ensuring developmental projects that make life better for our people.”
He further called for renewed commitment to regionalism, arguing that strengthening existing states through resource sharing and collaboration remains more viable than expanding administrative structures.
APC Spokesman Backs Ibadan’s Aspiration
Conversely, Mr Seye Oladejo, Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, viewed the proposal as an opportunity to strengthen the South-West’s political and economic influence.
According to Oladejo, “The creation of Ibadan State, should it come to fruition, carries significant political, economic, and cultural implications for the South-West region.”
He noted that splitting the vast Oyo State would “correct long-standing concerns about the concentration of power and resources in Ibadan within the larger Oyo structure,” while giving the city “a distinct political identity and stronger representation at the federal level.”
Oladejo added that the move could improve governance, enhance infrastructure delivery, and position Ibadan as “a more powerful economic nucleus—attracting industries, startups, and research centres to complement Lagos.”
A Political Balancing Act
Analysts say the renewed push for Ibadan State creation underscores the enduring complexities of Nigeria’s federal structure. While some see it as a legitimate quest for recognition and development, others perceive it as a distraction from more urgent governance issues.
With the bill now progressing through the National Assembly, the coming months promise intense lobbying, consultations, and political manoeuvring as stakeholders weigh the potential impact of a 37th state emerging from the South-West region.
