Amanze Chinonye
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking the creation of a new state to be known as Ibadan State, carved out of the present Oyo State.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to Provide for the Creation of Ibadan State with Ibadan as the Proposed Capital City, and for Related Matters,” was sponsored by Hon. Abass Adigun, who represents Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency.
The bill, numbered HB.2439, was taken on the floor of the House on Thursday and enjoyed overwhelming support from lawmakers during plenary. The session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, saw members adopt the motion through a voice vote, allowing it to progress to the committee stage for further legislative work.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn his lead debate, Hon. Adigun said the proposal was driven by the need to correct what he described as a “longstanding imbalance in state creation” and to ensure equitable representation and development across the South-West geopolitical zone. He argued that Ibadan, given its size, population, historical significance, and administrative capacity, was well-positioned to assume state status.
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“Ibadan is not just one of the largest cities in West Africa by landmass and population, it has been the political and economic heart of the old Western Region. Creating Ibadan State will bring governance closer to the people and deepen federalism,” Adigun said on the floor of the House.
Following the successful second reading, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further deliberation and harmonization with other state creation proposals currently before the National Assembly.
The proposed state would retain Ibadan as its capital if approved and will require constitutional amendment procedures, including two-thirds support from both the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly across the federation.
Thursday’s debate marks another push in Nigeria’s long-running agitation for the creation of new states, particularly in regions where ethnic and administrative groups have for decades sought greater autonomy and representation.
While the bill has advanced, analysts note that the hurdles ahead remain steep, as state creation requires broad national consensus and significant political will.
Nonetheless, supporters of the Ibadan State proposal see the House’s decision as a major milestone in a quest that has lingered since the 1980s.
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