By: Manoah Kikekon
The Ogu General Assembly (OGA) has made a demand for the creation of Badagry State during the National Assembly’s constitution review hearing in Abuja.
Representing the Ogu people of Lagos and Ogun States, the group submitted a comprehensive memorandum calling for a new state to be carved out of the historic Old Badagry District, with Badagry town as its capital. The move has reignited a decades-long struggle for recognition and development in the region.
The OGA’s proposal highlights years of political exclusion and underdevelopment faced by minority communities in the area. According to the group, despite Badagry’s rich history as a key trade and cultural hub, the region has been sidelined in governance and infrastructure development.
The memorandum, signed by 13 prominent Ogu leaders, argues that statehood would ensure fair representation, economic growth, and better resource allocation for the people.
Beyond state creation, the OGA’s submission calls for full local government autonomy, greater cultural inclusion, and a simplified process for establishing new states in Nigeria.
The group also pushed for reforms in revenue allocation, arguing that the current system disadvantages minority regions. Additionally, they demanded a restructuring of Nigeria’s security and judicial systems to address rising insecurity and ensure justice for marginalized communities.
With Nigeria’s constitution undergoing review, the OGA’s well-documented proposal has positioned Badagry State as a major talking point in the national discourse.
Analysts say the demand aligns with growing calls for restructuring and equitable representation across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. If approved, Badagry State could become the 37th state in Nigeria, reshaping the political landscape of the South-West.