The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking the creation of Ibadan State from the present Oyo State.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Hon. Abass Adigun, who represents the Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, aims to alter the 1999 Constitution to formalise Ibadan as a separate state within the South-West region.
Presenting the bill during Thursday’s plenary, Adigun said the proposal represents “a monumental step toward equitable development and the fulfilment of the long-standing aspirations of the people of Ibadan.” He argued that Ibadan’s population, landmass, and administrative capacity justify its elevation to state status.
The lawmaker added that despite being the capital of the defunct Western Region, Ibadan remains without statehood, unlike Enugu and Kaduna, which have since become states after serving similar roles in the past.
Adigun stirred a brief controversy when he compared the size of Ibadan’s local governments to those in Bayelsa State, prompting objections from Bayelsa lawmaker Obuku Ofurji, who described the remark as unnecessary. Adigun later apologised while maintaining his argument.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referred the bill to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further consideration.
The move comes amid ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution, with Kalu noting earlier in January that the current review process is expected to conclude by December 2025.
Under Section 8(1) of the Constitution, creating a new state requires approval by two-thirds of members representing the affected area in both chambers of the National Assembly, endorsement by local councils, and ratification through a referendum supported by a majority of states.
No new state has been created in Nigeria since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
