A prominent community leader and Mogaji of Agbo Beere in Ibadan, Chief Tairu Kolawole Oladipupo, has reaffirmed the demand for the creation of Ibadan State, saying the city’s historical significance and population size make it long overdue for statehood.
Speaking on the heels of the National Assembly’s ongoing consideration of a bill proposing the creation of 31 new states, Chief Oladipupo described Ibadan as the cradle of modern development in Nigeria.
“It is long overdue for Ibadan to become a state. If you study Nigeria’s history, you will see that Ibadan was the first truly cosmopolitan city,” he said.
Highlighting the city’s contributions to national development, the Mogaji noted that Ibadan hosted the first television station in Africa, the first stadium in Nigeria, Liberty Stadium, now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium and is home to the first university in the country, the University of Ibadan. Other notable landmarks include the iconic Cocoa House and the Western Nigeria Secretariat.
“Modernity started in Nigeria from Ibadan. It was the headquarters of the old Western Region, just like Enugu was for the Eastern Region and Kaduna for the Northern Region. Today, Enugu and Kaduna have become states, yet Ibadan is still left out. Only God knows why this injustice continues,” he lamented.
Chief Oladipupo also decried the underdevelopment of Ibadan’s eleven local government areas, which he said have grown too large and unwieldy without commensurate progress.
“Look at Lagelu Local Government. It stretches from Iwo boundary to Iwo Road — too large for meaningful development under the current structure. Same goes for Akinyele, which spans from Oyo boundary to Ojo, bordering Ido. With Ibadan State, we can break these into more manageable LGAs and achieve better grassroots development,” he said.
The Mogaji commended the unity of purpose among stakeholders, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Mogajis, title chiefs, and the Governor of Oyo State, all of whom are now working in harmony with Ibadan sons and daughters in the National Assembly to actualize the dream of Ibadan State.
“Let me tell you, Ibadan is no longer just a city, it is a world of its own. Without a state of its own, the development we deserve will continue to elude us,” he said.
On what could hinder the creation of Ibadan State this time, Chief Oladipupo expressed optimism.
“There should be no obstacle. When Ondo was carved out and later Ekiti, and when Osun was taken from old Oyo State, the expectation was that Ibadan would be next. But that never happened. This time, we are not backing down,” he asserted.
He dismissed fears that state creation is only feasible under military regimes, insisting that among all the regions agitating for statehood, Ibadan stands out in both merit and readiness.
Chief Oladipupo also took time to eulogize the current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Olakulehin, for his visionary leadership and unifying role in the push for state creation.
“It is during the reign of our Kabiyesi that the ultra-modern Olubadan Palace became a reality. It is during his reign that our Obas received their crowns and peace has reigned across the city. His leadership has been a major force in galvanizing our people for this noble cause,” he concluded.
