The House of Representatives has approved the second reading of a bill proposing the creation of Ibadan State, potentially marking Nigeria’s first new state since 1996.

Sponsored by Abass Adigun (PDP, Oyo), the bill seeks to amend the Constitution to establish Ibadan State, with Ibadan city as its capital. Adigun argued that Ibadan — the largest city in West Africa and former capital of the defunct Western Region — merits statehood on the grounds of equity, development, and administrative efficiency.

He noted that other former regional capitals like Enugu and Kaduna have since become states, while Ibadan, despite its population, landmass, and economic importance, has not.

“The creation of Ibadan State represents a monumental step toward equitable development through true federalism and the realisation of a long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan,” Adigun said during Thursday’s plenary.

He also claimed that Ibadan’s infrastructure and human resources meet the criteria for statehood, citing data that “one local government in Ibadan is bigger than three in Bayelsa State.” This remark drew criticism from Obuku Ofurji (PDP, Bayelsa), who called it “irrelevant and disrespectful.” Adigun later apologised, clarifying that his comments were based on statistics and not meant to undermine any region.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, referred the bill to the Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative consideration.

If successful, this would be the first new state created since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999. The last state creation occurred under the military regime of Sani Abacha in 1996, which increased the number of states to 36.

Ibadan State is one of several proposed across the country, including Anioma, Orlu, Ogoja, Gurara, and Katagum, though past efforts have been stalled by the complex constitutional amendment process requiring broad national consensus, including approval by two-thirds of state assemblies.

The push for Ibadan State has gained momentum in recent months. In September, the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, urged President Bola Tinubu to approve the creation of the state before the end of his term, calling it “a dream deferred for far too long.”

If the bill becomes law, Ibadan would be Nigeria’s 37th state and the sixth in the South-West geopolitical zone.