Bill For Creation Of Ibadan State Passes Second Reading in House of Reps 

The House of Representatives advanced a bill for a second reading that aims to create Ibadan State out of the current Oyo State, marking a significant move towards redrawing Nigeria’s political boundaries.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Abass Adigun, who represents Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, scaled through after a heated debate at plenary.

Adigun argued that Ibadan, with its population size and vast landmass, had long deserved recognition as a state.

Leading the debate, the lawmaker pointed to precedents, noting that cities like Enugu and Kaduna, which once served as regional capitals, had since been elevated to state status.

“This bill represents a monumental step toward equitable development through federalism and the realisation of the long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan,” Adigun declared.

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He further claimed that one local government area in Ibadan was bigger than three in Bayelsa State, a statement that quickly drew the ire of Obuku Ofurji (Yenagoa/Opokuma, Bayelsa).

Ofurji dismissed the comparison as both “irrelevant and disrespectful,” warning against dragging other states into the debate.

Adigun, however, apologised but stood by his position, insisting that the figures he presented were factual.

Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referred the bill to the House Committee on Constitutional Review, which he also chairs.

Kalu had earlier announced that the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution would be completed by December 2025.

Creating a new state in Nigeria remains an arduous process. Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that such a proposal must secure:

• Two-thirds support from lawmakers representing the area in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• Endorsement from the House of Assembly and local government councils in the affected area.
• Approval in a referendum by two-thirds of the people of the proposed state.
• A simple majority endorsement by the Houses of Assembly across the federation.
• Final passage by two-thirds of members of both chambers of the National Assembly.

Despite dozens of proposals over the years, no new state has been created since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.