The legislation, which also proposes renaming the remaining portion of Oyo State as “New Oyo State” with Oyo town as its capital, was passed during Tuesday’s plenary session amid debates highlighting cultural heritage, administrative efficiency, and historical precedents.

Sponsored by Hon. Abass Adigun, representing Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East federal constituency, and co-sponsored by Hon. Adeniyi Adeyemi (representing Afijio/Oyo West/Oyo East/Atiba West) along with six other lawmakers, the bill aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to divide Oyo State’s 33 local government areas between the two entities. 

Under the proposal, Ibadan State would encompass Ibadan city as its capital and include key areas such as Ibadan North, South, East, West, and surrounding zones like Ibarapa and parts of Oyo’s periphery, while New Oyo State would focus on Oyo town and its environs.

During the debate, Adigun described the bill as a “monumental step toward equitable development through federalism and the realization of the long-held aspiration of the people of Ibadan.” 

He argued that Ibadan’s status as a major economic and cultural hub—home to over 3 million residents and the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa by some metrics—warrants its elevation to statehood to better harness its potential for infrastructure, education, and commerce. 

Adigun drew parallels to historical divisions, noting that Ibadan Province was carved out from the old Oyo Province in 1936 under colonial rule, and emphasized the city’s role as the “repository and citadel of Yoruba linguistic and cultural heritage,” seat of the ancient Oyo Empire.

The session saw spirited exchanges, including a brief controversy when Adigun claimed one Ibadan local government was larger than three in Bayelsa State, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Hon. Obuku Ofurji (Yenagoa/Opokuma, Bayelsa), who deemed it “irrelevant and disrespectful.” 

Adigun apologized but stood by his point, underscoring the bill’s intent to address developmental disparities without diminishing other regions. 

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, presiding over the plenary, referred the bill to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further deliberation, aligning it with Section 8(1) of the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority support from members representing the area, as well as state assemblies and a national referendum for approval.

This development follows a similar but distinct bill earlier in the year, sponsored by Hon. Olamijuwonlo Ayodeji Alao-Akala (Ogbomoso North/South/Oriire), which proposed splitting Oyo into Ibadan and Ogbomoso states and passed second reading in November 2024. 

However, the current Adigun-Adeyemi bill revives a proposal dating back to the Second Republic, where it garnered legislative support before being stalled by military rule. 

Last month, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, publicly appealed to President Bola Tinubu to prioritize Ibadan State creation before 2027, citing the city’s contributions to national unity and economy.

Advocates argue that the split would alleviate administrative burdens on Oyo State, promote faster growth in Ibadan, a hub for industries, universities, and tourism, and foster balanced federalism in the Southwest, which currently has six states despite its population density. 

As the bill advances to committee scrutiny, it joins a queue of over 30 pending proposals for new states nationwide, signaling a broader conversation on Nigeria’s federal structure amid calls for devolution of power.