By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A bill seeking to create New State passed first reading during the plenary at the Senate on Tuesday.
Sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, the bill seeks to establish Ijebu as an independent state out of Ogun State.
The bill, titled the “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2024 (Creation of Ijebu State),” was introduced by Senate majority leader Michael Bamidele of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following the formal introduction of the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio advanced the proposal, passing it for its first reading.
This sets the stage for further deliberations and legislative processes on the bill, as it will now be subjected to a series of discussions and evaluations before it can progress to the next stages of approval.
This move to create Ijebu State comes amid a broader national conversation about creating new states in Nigeria, especially in regions where calls for administrative autonomy have grown louder.
Proponents argue that creating new states would allow for more efficient governance, promote economic development, and improve political representation.
Should the bill successfully navigate the legislative process, Ijebu would become a standalone state with its governance structures distinct from Ogun State.