A bill to split the existing Oyo State into two has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives. The proposed new state, also named Oyo State, would have Oyo town as its capital.

Sponsor of the bill, Akeem Adeyemi, representing Oyo Federal Constituency, argued that the current Oyo State is too large, with 33 local governments and a population of over 5.5 million people. He cited the 2014 national conference’s recommendation to create a new Oyo State.

The proposed state boasts significant endowments, including:

– Vast agricultural land

– Water resources, such as the Erelu Dam

– Mineral resources, including gold, kaolin, and limestone

– Tourism potential, leveraging its rich cultural heritage

Oyo town’s strategic advantages make it an ideal capital, with:

– Existing physical administrative and government facilities

– Cultural significance as the seat of the old Oyo Kingdom

– Infrastructure, including the Government Reservation Area and functional branches of ministries

Adeyemi emphasized the need to balance the national equation, as Oyo town is the only provincial headquarters not serving as a state capital. The bill has been referred to the Constitutional Review Committee for further action.