The 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the creation of Ibadan State, declaring that the long-standing demand of the ancient city should be fulfilled before the end of the current administration in 2027.
Oba Ladoja made the appeal on Thursday while addressing thousands of residents and dignitaries shortly after receiving the Staff of Office from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The ceremony marked his formal installation as the 44th Olubadan, a moment the monarch used to spotlight one of the most significant aspirations of his people.
“Ibadan deserves recognition as a state of its own,” the monarch said, stressing that the city’s size, population, and historical importance make it a natural candidate for statehood. “I call on President Tinubu to make this happen before 2027.”
The call for Ibadan State has been a recurring demand for decades, often raised by traditional rulers, political leaders, and civil society groups from the region. Proponents argue that Ibadan, as one of Nigeria’s largest cities and a key center of commerce, culture, and politics, has the capacity to thrive as a standalone state within the federation.
Governor Makinde, who presented the Staff of Office, praised the new Olubadan’s commitment to the welfare of his people and described his reign as an opportunity to deepen unity and development in Ibadanland.
Political observers note that the monarch’s direct appeal to President Tinubu could reignite national debate on state creation, an issue that has remained sensitive since the last restructuring of Nigeria’s 36 states in 1996.
The Federal Government has yet to issue a response to the request.
