A respected Ibadan chief and community leader, Mogaji Asiwaju Nurudeen Akinade, has reiterated the justification for the creation of Ibadan State, describing the push as both overdue and imperative for equitable development in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
Mogaji Akinade, who is the Mogaji of Onilari Compound, Ibadan and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, paid glowing tribute to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin Akinloye, whom he described as a patriotic monarch deeply committed to the Ibadan State cause.
“Baba was everything noble and dignified in humanity. As a retired Major in the Nigerian Army and a traditional ruler who rose through the Balogun line, he embodied discipline, leadership, and inclusiveness. He was also a devout Christian in a lineage traditionally dominated by Muslims, yet he never discriminated. That is the kind of leader we just lost,” he said.
According to him, the idea of Ibadan becoming a state was very dear to the late Olubadan, and he gave it full backing throughout his reign.
“Even before Baba became the Olubadan, the idea of an Ibadan State was in his heart. He believed it would one day be realized, and while on the throne, he gave his all to support the movement,” he added.
Mogaji Akinade admitted that the current Nigerian Constitution makes state creation under a civilian government difficult, but emphasized that the Ibadan State agitation has gained significant momentum in recent times.
“We have followed the constitutional process to the letter. Last Saturday, I led a team to present our justification during the House of Representatives public hearing on state creation. A few weeks earlier, our President-General led a similar presentation at the Senate zonal hearing,” he disclosed.
He expressed optimism that the federal government and National Assembly appear more responsive this time, especially as the public hearing phase has now commenced.
“The era of false reading is over. We are in the era of public presentation. This government seems to mean well. The reception we got from the National Assembly was encouraging,” he said.
Backing the call with statistics, he explained that the proposed Ibadan State would consist of 14 local governments, 11 in Ibadan land and 3 in Ibarapa land with a population of over 4.2 million people, surpassing at least eight existing Nigerian states, including Kwara and Bayelsa.
“Ibadan and Ibarapa combined have more landmass, more population, more educational institutions, and more research institutes than many states in this country,” he argued.
“We’ve been the capital of old Western Region, Western State, and old Oyo State. Today, Kaduna and Enugu, fellow former regional capitals have their own states. Only Ibadan remains without one. That’s a glaring injustice.”
He stressed that the demand is not just sentimental but rooted in a desire to bring governance closer to the people and allow development to penetrate the hinterlands. “Governor Seyi Makinde has been doing excellently, especially on road projects, but the expanse of Ibadan alone is overwhelming. Development cannot reach everywhere with one state government handling it all. Creating Ibadan State will open up new administrative structures and development opportunities.”
Mogaji Akinade dismissed concerns over the herculean process involved in state creation, especially the need to secure approval from two-thirds of state assemblies nationwide.
“Yoruba people are travelers by nature. We will reach out. We know the constitution and we are following it diligently. We are not discouraged,” he affirmed.
He emphasised that the push for Ibadan State is not just an Ibadan affair, but one that will serve the national interest by improving governance and equity.
“Ibadan North alone has a population and landmass larger than five or six local governments in some other states combined. It’s time Nigeria gives Ibadan the recognition it deserves,” he concluded.
