President Bola Tinubu has given the Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Adetona, his strongest assurances that he will endorse the creation of Ijebu State, proposed as a carve-out from Ogun State.
This assurance comes despite concerns regarding its viability amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic struggles, as reported by Peoples Gazette. The president met with the esteemed traditional ruler at his Bourdillon residence on January 5, assuring him that support for the proposed state, located just northeast of Lagos, would not be withheld. Sources familiar with the discussions, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that at the meeting, Mr. Adetona expressed frustration over Ijebu being the only province from the colonial era without its own state, while its counterparts, such as Oyo and Sokoto, have been subdivided into multiple functioning states.
According to one source from Abuja, "The president didn’t allow Awujale to overflog the matter before acquiescing." This was the first instance where Mr. Tinubu made his position on the proposed state clear, though it remains uncertain where he stands on other states under consideration by parliament. During the discussions, Anioma, from Delta, was highlighted as another potential new state amid ongoing amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
Presidential spokespersons have refrained from commenting on the meeting, citing its implications for other proponents of new states across the country, who may view the president’s engagement as exclusionary. An establishment bill for Ijebu State was introduced to the National Assembly in November 2024, sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel of Ogun East. This bill brought the longstanding desire of the million-strong Ijebu tribal stock closer to realization. Senator Daniel, a former governor of Ogun, conveyed the aspirations of his constituents for an independent state that could thrive independently after being excised from Ogun State. He sought an alteration of the nation’s constitution to facilitate the creation of Ijebu State.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently advanced the bill, titled the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (Creation of Ijebu State),” which is now progressing through legislative stages. Numerous other states are also under discussion, potentially expanding Nigeria’s federating units from the current 36 to as many as 56, which would mean up to 20 new states. However, some lawmakers and ordinary Nigerians have criticized the bill as ill-timed, questioning its relevance amid widespread poverty, chronic inflation, substantial debts, deteriorating power infrastructure, and insecurity.
Critics have suggested that Mr. Tinubu's push to expand Nigeria’s states stems from a belief that new states would feel liberated enough to support him in his bid for a second term, although it seems unlikely that new states would be established before the 2027 elections. Concerns were also raised regarding potential conflicts among competing interests within a newly formed state. Nonetheless, during the meeting, Mr. Adetona urged the president to dismiss these concerns, asserting that a new Ijebu State would foster development in its constituent units through internally generated revenue and federal allocations.
In December 2024, Mr. Adetona, alongside the Akarigbo of Remo, Adewale Ajayi, convened traditional rulers and prominent indigenes of the Ijebu province to discuss the modalities for the creation of Ijebu State. This included considerations for a suitable state capital, an equitable number of local government areas, senatorial districts, federal constituencies, and other relevant issues. Mr. Adetona emphasized that Ijebu province is "economically viable" and well-positioned for independence, highlighting its extensive land and infrastructure, which includes an industrial estate and an international airport still under construction. He stated, “Ijebu province is economically viable and already has all the infrastructural facilities that can sustain the state,” noting significant developments like major industrial estates, including the Flowergate Industrial Estate, an international airport, and two international sports stadiums located in Ijebu Ode and Sagamu.