The call for the creation of an Ibadan State gained new momentum on Friday as the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, used his coronation to push the demand to the top of Nigeria’s political agenda.
Speaking after receiving the Staff of Office from Governor Seyi Makinde, Oba Ladoja said the people of Ibadan see the creation of their own state as a pressing priority that should be delivered under President Bola Tinubu’s administration—before the 2027 election cycle.
“My people sent me a message to Mr President,” the monarch declared in Yoruba before a crowd at Mapo Hall. “They said the creation of Ibadan State is their priority.”
Advocates for Ibadan State argue that despite being one of Nigeria’s largest and most historic cities, Ibadan has long been underrepresented in governance and resource allocation within Oyo State. The Olubadan’s backing is expected to give the long-running campaign fresh political weight, especially with Tinubu’s allies in attendance at the ceremony.
Governor Makinde, in his address, hailed Ladoja’s emergence as the 44th Olubadan as a unifying moment for the ancient city and praised the peaceful succession process. He said he hoped the monarch’s reign would bring “peace, unity, and greater progress for Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.”
The coronation drew an array of political heavyweights, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Donald Duke. Federal and state lawmakers from Oyo were also in attendance, alongside Ibadan chiefs and political allies of the new monarch.
For campaigners, the Olubadan’s public endorsement marks a critical turning point in the push for Ibadan State. With 2027 drawing closer, they are banking on Tinubu’s political will and the growing chorus of local support to make statehood a reality.
