Mixed reactions have followed the call by the newly installed Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, for the creation of Ibadan State.
BASEMEDIA reports that the proposed state would be carved out of the present Oyo State and parts of Ondo State.
Oba Ladoja made the call during his coronation ceremony in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, urging President Bola Tinubu to make the creation of Ibadan State a priority.
“My people sent a message to Mr President. They said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority,” he said.
The proposed Ibadan State is among the 46 new states being considered across the country before the National Assembly.
The bill seeking the creation of Ibadan State was sponsored by Hon. Abass Adigun, who represents Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
On Thursday, the bill passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, marking a key step toward amending the 1999 Constitution to recognize Ibadan as a state.
Leading the debate, Adigun described the proposal as “a monumental step toward equitable development through true federalism and the fulfillment of the long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan.”
He argued that despite Ibadan’s historical importance as the former capital of the old Western Region—similar to Enugu and Kaduna, which later became states—it has yet to enjoy the same status.
According to him, Ibadan has the necessary population, economy, and landmass to qualify for statehood, noting that a single local government in Ibadan is larger than three combined councils in Bayelsa State.
However, the proposal has generated mixed reactions across the Southwest.
Southwest doesn’t need another state now – Aiyedatiwa’s aide
Hon. Akindele Adeniyi, Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Mobilization, said creating a new state should not be a priority for the region.
He emphasized that the Southwest should focus on development projects that improve people’s lives rather than state creation.
“They have called for a public hearing in Abuja and will tour the Southwest to gather opinions. But for me, what we have now should be maintained. Regionalism is more important because it helps us develop our region collectively.
“We already have six states in the Southwest; creating Ibadan State and removing parts of Ondo is unnecessary at this time. We should concentrate on stability, development, and improving the welfare of our people,” Adeniyi stated.
How Ibadan State will impact the Southwest – APC
The Publicity Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Seye Oladejo, said the creation of Ibadan State would have major political, economic, and cultural effects on the Southwest.
He explained that Oyo State is currently one of the largest and most politically complex states in the region, and creating Ibadan State would address long-standing concerns about the concentration of power and resources in Ibadan within the current structure.
Oladejo added that the new state would give Ibadan people a distinct political identity and representation at the federal level, including more senators, representatives, and federal appointments.
He further noted that for the Southwest as a whole, having an additional state would strengthen the region’s influence in national politics, decision-making, and resource sharing.
Highlighting the administrative advantages, he said splitting Oyo State would lead to more focused governance, improved planning, and better infrastructure development.
Economically, Oladejo noted that Ibadan is already one of Nigeria’s oldest and most industrialized cities and could become a stronger economic hub, attracting industries, startups, and research institutions to complement Lagos.
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