A Royal Charge: Ladoja Demands Creation of Ibadan State During Coronation Speech

You know say when oga for town talk, everybody quiet dey listen. On 26 September 2025, at his coronation, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, now the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, delivered a royal charge that turned heads: he demanded Ibadan State creation demand from President Bola Tinubu. The new monarch made it clear — creating Ibadan State is not just symbolic; according to him, it is a necessity that would allow the ancient city to thrive as it deserves.

This isn’t gossip. This is real talk. This blog post will deep dive into that royal demand: why Ladoja said it, what it means for Oyo and Ibadan, the path forward, challenges, public reactions, and whether state creation is a dream or a near future.

If you’d like to read more context on politics in Nigeria, check out our pillar post: Nigeria News and Gossip: The Untold Stories Shaping 2025.
Also, further down you might want to dip into Nigerian News and Gossip: Latest Updates.

Let’s roll…

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The Coronation Moment & Ladoja’s Demand

When the dust settled at Mapo Hall, with the staff of office handed over by Governor Seyi Makinde and President Tinubu in attendance, the atmosphere was regal. Thousands gathered in the heat under canopies, drummers (talk about juju sound systems) were banging, aso-ebi flowing, and locals chanting “Kabiyesi o!” The event wasn’t just tradition; it was political theatre with a punch.

At that moment, the new Olubadan used his maiden speech to drop a message:

In Yoruba, he told the crowd: “My people sent me message to Mr President. Mr President, they said, the creation of Ibadan State is their priority.”
He added: “If there is only one State to be created, Mr President, let it be Ibadan State. We’re in a hurry.”
He also urged the president: “Give us Ibadan State before 2027.”

These words triggered social media firestorms. Immediately, news outlets reported: “New Olubadan demands Ibadan State” and “All hail King Ladoja! He wants Ibadan State creation before 2027.” 

One report noted:

“He made the call during his coronation after receiving his staff of office … the 44th Olubadan … has asked President Bola Tinubu to ensure the creation of the state of Ibadan before 2027.” 

So right from the coronation, the Ibadan State creation demand became the headline.

Why is this demand significant? Because this is not just a monarch making a symbolic appeal; Ladoja’s stature, political history, and networks give weight to what is often a dormant issue. He is both a traditional ruler and ex-governor, former senator — he straddles traditional and political spheres.

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Why Ibadan State? The Arguments & Motivation

What’s the logic behind Ladoja’s call? What do supporters argue? Let’s break it down.

Urban Size, Population & Administrative Need

• Ibadan is one of the most populous cities in Nigeria. Many parts of Oyo State’s resources, attention, and governance machinery are pulled toward rural or other needs. Proponents argue that a new state focused on Ibadan can better manage urban challenges — traffic, waste, housing, health, water, and infrastructure.

• Local governments in the Ibadan metropolis often struggle under a state government that must balance rural and urban demands. Autonomy could help direct more resources inward.

Revenue, Fiscal Control & Federal Allocation

• If Ibadan becomes a state, it can directly access allocations from the federation account, rather than depend on Oyo State as intermediary.

• As home to many institutions — universities, research centres, hospitals, business hubs — Ibadan already contributes much in internally generated revenue. Advocates believe those contributions deserve direct reinvestment locally.

• The demand is part symbol, part demand for resource justice.

Historical & Cultural Prestigious Claim

• Ibadan was once a capital of the old Western Region. It has a legacy, institutions, cultural importance, and identity that many feel have been underleveraged under being subsumed under Oyo State.

• The agitation for Ibadan State has persisted over decades through civil society groups (e.g., Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes) and local elites.

Ladoja’s Political Weight

• Because Ladoja has served as governor and senator, he understands the workings of state politics. His crown gives him a new platform to push a long-standing agenda with renewed legitimacy.

• His words carry more than a typical royal’s — he can mobilize political actors, media, and public opinion.

Timeline & Urgency

• By demanding the state be created before 2027, he sets a deadline, creating pressure on the presidency, legislators, and civil society. That timeline frames the demand as urgent, not open-ended.

• It also ties into the current constitutional review discussions and political calendar ahead of next elections.

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The Legal & Constitutional Hurdles

Okay, dream big, but you must play by the rules. Nigeria’s constitution is not a free playground. State creation is governed by strict rules in Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). What must happen?

1. Support at Legislative Levels

   • Two-thirds majority agreement in the National Assembly (Senate & House) from members representing the area.

   • Two-thirds support in the state Houses of Assembly (i.e. Oyo State House).

   • Two-thirds support of the local government councils within the proposed area for Ibadan State.

2. Referendum

   • A referendum in the area to be carved out, with at least two-thirds of the people voting in favour.

3. Approval by Other States / Assemblies

   • A simple majority of other States’ Houses of Assembly and state governments must back it.

   • The National Assembly must pass the bill based on referendum results and meet constitutional thresholds.

4. Clear Boundaries, Viable Structure & Transition Plan

   • The proposal must clearly define which local governments are in, what revenue base, assets, liabilities, and how staff, institutions, and infrastructure will move.

   • A transitional arrangement must be mapped out to avoid chaos.

Because of these high bars, many state creation efforts stall. It’s not enough to have popular demand; legal and political compliance is required.

In fact, lawmakers recently said that many of the submitted bills for new states did not meet the constitutional requirements. 

Thus, while Ladoja’s demand is powerful, making Ibadan State creation demand real will require negotiation, coalition, and technical precision.

ALSO READ:Rashidi Ladoja to Be Crowned 44th Olubadan on September 26: A New Era for Ibadan’s Traditional Succession

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Challenges, Risks & Critics’ Voice

While many cheer the demand, critics and skeptics raise valid concerns. Let’s weigh the cons.

Financial Burden & Duplication

• A new state means replicating ministries, offices, civil servants, infrastructure of governance — costing billions in setup and recurrent costs.

• If revenue fails to match expectations, the new state may depend heavily on federal allocations or borrowings.

Political Resistance

• Oyo State government is likely to resist losing its economic powerhouse. Losing Ibadan implies losing revenue, prestige, and influence.

• Some politicians may oppose fragmentation of their power base.

Administrative Complexity

• LGA demarcation, transferring assets & liabilities, staff reassignments, redefining jurisdiction — these are messy tasks prone to conflict.

• Boundary disputes and community objections may surface.

Expectations & Disillusionment

• If the new state underdelivers on infrastructure, services, job creation, the populace may feel cheated.

• The risk is that a demand becomes a campaign slogan, not a realized change.

Inequality Among Remnant Territories

• The parts of Oyo State left behind may lose clout, get weaker financially, or feel neglected by neglecting the “hinterland.”

• There may be perception of urban bias: that state creation only benefits city dwellers.

Overemphasis on Statehood vs Governance Reform

• Critics may argue: devolution of power to local governments, metropolitan authorities, or strengthening existing state institutions may achieve much of what state creation promises — without the cost and risk.

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What It Will Take to Make It Happen

To move beyond speech to reality, these steps and strategies are critical:

1. Coalition Building Inside and Outside

   • Engage the Oyo State House of Assembly, LGAs in Ibadan, National Assembly members representing Ibadan/area.

   • Involve traditional rulers, civil society groups, student bodies, market associations, clergy, and local elites.

2. Public Education and Mobilization

   • Use town halls, media, local radio (Ibadan FM, Yoruba stations), social media campaigns to explain pros, cons, responsibilities.

   • Garner community buy-in — the referendum demand will force people to choose.

3. Draft a Solid, Technical Bill

   • Define LGAs included, revenue base, transitional structures, assets and liabilities.

   • Create a fiscal model demonstrating viability.

   • Ensure compliance with constitutional requirements.

4. Push Legislative Processes

   • Introduce the bill in National Assembly, ensure committee hearings, debates, amendments.

   • Secure votes in Oyo State Assembly and local councils.

   • Lobby other states’ assemblies to approve.

5. Ensure Transparent Referendum Execution

   • Use INEC or an independent electoral body to conduct a fair referendum in the proposed area.

   • Ensure security, voter education, credible result handling.

6. Transitional Arrangements

   • Plan for smooth transfer of staffing, assets, and liabilities.

   • Freeze contentious issues and resolve disputes ahead of switchover.

   • Ensure continuous service delivery (health, education, utilities) during the transition.

7. Post-Creation Governance & Accountability

   • From Day One, ensure good governance, avoid corruption.

   • Build institutions that deliver infrastructure, social services, security, urban planning.

   • Monitor and report progress publicly — win the trust of people.

If done well, Ibadan State creation demand could become a model for urban states in Nigeria.

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Public Reaction, Social Media & Local Slangs

As expected, social media lit up. On X, threads like “#IbadanState now” trended. Some said, “Finally, Kabiyesi dey speak our pain.” Others mocked the timeline: “Before 2027 abi 2077?” In WhatsApp groups and local parlors (omo, as e dey hot), debates raged.

In Ibadan streets, people were buzzing: “See king wey just dey demand state like say e be IPO”, joked one youth. Some elders responded in Yoruba: “Ṣé Ibadan State bá yé wa gan?” Others shouted “Kabiyesi o!” louder, as if affirming his call.

Some argued: “Make e start from Oyo splitting first, so that leftover no go cry.” Others whispered: “If this one succeed, na jubilation for Oyo politics.” But many admitted, “At least dem don talk am open now; no be small thing.”

Calls on radio stations (Rock City, Fresh FM) instantly arranged panel discussions with legal experts, urban planners, traditional rulers. The question on many lips: “State creation na panacea abeg?”

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Possible Scenarios & What It Could Look Like

Let’s imagine possible outcomes depending on how the demand process goes:

Scenario	What Might Happen	Risks & Opportunities
Quick success (before 2027)	Ibadan State is legally carved out; new governor, legislature, structures inaugurated	Huge optimism, but pressure to deliver fast; expectation management will be crucial
Partial gains / interim special status	Federal grants, increased autonomy to Ibadan metro, enhanced local governance powers	May assuage some desire; may be political compromise without full statehood
Stalled proposal	Bill dies in committee, constitutional objections, political resistance	Disappointment, protests, liability of raised expectations
Incremental devolution	Strengthened metropolitan council or regional authority instead of full state	Lower cost, fewer risks, but may not satisfy full demand

Whichever road it takes, the journey of Ibadan State creation demand is likely to reshape southwestern politics, urban governance debates, and traditional-political dynamics in Nigeria.

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Why This Matters to NaijaScene Readers

Because NaijaScene is about Nigeria news and gossip (you know say we dey catch all the tea), this story sits at the crossroads of tradition, politics, governance, and urban futures. Our readers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria, and the entire Nigeria will care deeply: how resources, jobs, infrastructure, identity will change.

This post can spark comment fights, civic debate, activism, and more eyeballs. It is content that’s not thin — it has real substance, real stakes, real names. It is not gossip in the “empty rumour” sense, but “gossip” as news and storytelling about Nigeria.

You can connect this post with your pillar posts:

• Nigeria News and Gossip: The Untold Stories Shaping 2025 (link above)

• Nigerian News and Gossip: Latest Updates

Those internal links help SEO—and help readers stay longer on NaijaScene.

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Oba Ladoja’s royal charge — the Ibadan State creation demand — is a turning point. It reignites a long-smoldering conversation, gives it new legitimacy, and sets the stage for legal, political, and civic struggle. If done right, Ibadan State could become a benchmark for how cities in Nigeria demand autonomy, resources, and identity. If stalled or mishandled, it could rekindle frustration, cynicism, or division.

Now I dey ask you: What you think? Will Ibadan State become reality? Or na political theater? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Also share this post to your WhatsApp groups, X threads, and let’s get the NaijaScene community talking.

If you enjoyed this deep dive, don’t forget to check out: Nigeria News and Gossip: The Untold Stories Shaping 2025 and Nigerian News and Gossip: Latest Updates.

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