A bill sponsored by Akeem Adeyemi (APC, Oyo) and six others, aimed at creating two new states—Oyo and Ibadan—has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The constitutional amendment seeks to establish a new Oyo State, with Oyo town as the capital, while the remaining part of the current state would be renamed Ibadan State, with Ibadan as its capital.
Legislative Process
Speaker Tajudeen Abass referred the bill to the committee on constitutional review without debate, stating that the legislation was straightforward and did not require further discussion at this stage.
Historical Context of Oyo State
Oyo State, one of the largest states in western Nigeria, was established on February 3, 1976, by the military regime of General Murtala Mohammed after the division of the former Western State. In August 1991, Osun State was carved out from Oyo State during the Ibrahim Babangida military regime. Despite several past attempts to further divide the state, none have been successful.
Impact of the Proposed Division
The division of Oyo State would address the long-standing challenge of resource management and distribution, which has been difficult due to the state’s size. Many areas in Oyo have suffered from underdevelopment, and splitting the state could facilitate better resource allocation and development for those regions.
However, this division is not without challenges. Ibadan, as the state’s economic hub and major revenue source, has seen significant investment from the government. The new Oyo State would need to start developing its economy from scratch, which could slow growth in the short term.
Other Proposals for State Creation
In addition to the current bill, there is also an ongoing proposal to create Oke-Ogun State, sponsored by Oluwole Oke (PDP, Osun), as part of the broader constitutional review efforts.
