Warri State
Warri State is a proposed state intended to be formed for the Itsekiri people, who inhabit the regions of Warri South, Warri South West, Warri North, and itsekiri parts of Edo State in Nigeria. The movement for the creation of Warri State stems from concerns regarding the marginalization of the Itsekiri people by the Delta State Government and the pursuit of lasting peace in the Niger Delta region. In 2012, Edward Ekpoko, then Assistant Secretary of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, presented a memorandum calling for the creation of Warri State. The memorandum proposed that the state should be coterminous with the former Warri Division, comprising the present-day Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West local government areas of Delta State.[1]
Warri State | |
|---|---|
Proposed state | |
 Location of Warri State in Nigeria (proposed) | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Proposed Region | South West |
| Proposed Officially | February 7, 2025[2] |
| Proposed capital | Warri |
| Local Government Areas | Warri South, Warri South West, Warri North, and Itsekiri areas of Edo State |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
Background
[edit]The Itsekiri people have long voiced grievances regarding their representation and treatment within the Delta state government. Despite contributing significantly to the oil and gas resources of Delta State, Itsekiri communities feel underrepresented and neglected in terms of government representatives, infrastructure, development and resource allocation.[3]
Demand for state creation
[edit]The Itsekiri people have long advocated for the establishment of a Warri State as a means to address their concerns about their rights and cry's of being constantly marginalized by the Delta State government because of their minority status. They propose that the new state's boundaries should align with those of the former Warri Division, which encompasses their ancestral homeland. This region, now divided into Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West local government areas in Delta State, was historically governed as the Warri Kingdom prior to colonial rule.[4]
The Itsekiri people lament that despite being a significant contributor to Nigeria's oil and gas sector, their lands lack basic infrastructure such as federal or state universities, polytechnics, good roads, and hospitals. They accuse the Delta State government of intentionally neglecting them, diverting resources generated from Itsekiri lands to develop other areas while leaving Itsekiri towns and villages in a state of disrepair. The Itsekiri people believe that having their own state would resolve at least 80% of their problems and bring an end to the marginalization they currently face at the hands of the Delta State government.[5][6]
Despite being a significant contributor to Nigeria's oil and gas production, accounting for over 33% of the nation's output, the Itsekiri people lack adequate representation in government. They hold only one seat in the Federal House Of Representatives out of 360 and have just two representatives in the 29-member Delta State House of Assembly.[7][8]
The call for a Warri State has been ongoing, with formal submissions made to the National Assembly in 2010 and the National Conference in March 2014. These efforts have garnered support from prominent figures, including the Olu of Warri at the time, Ogiame Atuwatse II, as well as community leaders, legislators, and members of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought.[9]
The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought also submitted their demands for a Warri State to the Nigerian House of Representatives in April 2024.[10]
On February 6, 2025, Warri State was officially announced in the Nigerian House of Representatives as one of the 31 proposed states to be established in the country.[11]
Economic viability of the proposed Warri State
[edit]Oil and gas
[edit]The 3 Warri LGAs are the source of about 33% of Nigeria's total oil production, and over 78% of Delta State quantum. Warri, the proposed headquarters of the state, is the mega metropolis of the present Delta State and contributes about 70% of its internally generated revenue. Other assets:
- i. Chevron Tank Farm at Escravos
- ii. The EGTL Projects in Escravos (all in Warri South West LGA)
- iii. The Bonga, Okan and over 20 other oil fields
- Iv. The Warri Refinery in Warri South LGA
- V. Chevron & Shell Field Offices in Warri & Escravos
- vi. Ogidigben proposed Export Processing Gas Zone [12][13]
Ports
[edit]There are three major seaports in Warri, Koko and Escravos, and the last-named loads ocean-liners from its tank farm.[14][15][16]
Agriculture
[edit]Fishing trawlers are based within the proposed state for fishing, shrimping & crayfishing. These industries hold great promises.[17]
Tourism
[edit]The Nanna Living History Museum in Koko – the first of its kind in this part of Africa – and the Royal Cemetery, Ijala in Warri – a potential World Heritage Site – are the must-see areas in the new state.[18][19]
The Itsekiri nation contribute substantially to Nigeria's oil and gas sector, accounting for 60% of Delta State's oil and gas production and 33% of the nation's total production. Despite this significant contribution, they feel marginalized and underserved by the Delta State government.[20][21]
References
[edit]- ↑ Agbakwuru, Johnbosco (16 November 2012). "Itsekiri demand creation of Warri State". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/rep-ereyitomi-submits-memorandum-for-creation-of-warri-state-to-national-assembly/amp/
- ↑ "Nigeria: Itsekiri Allege Marginalisation in Delta". Vanguard. 8 Jan 2003 – via AllAfrica.
The Itsekiri of Delta state yesterday alleged gross marginalisation and suppression in the distribution of political offices
- ↑ "Igbiaye calls for creation of Iwere state". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria.
- ↑ "Appointments: Groups cry out over 'marginalisation' of Itsekiris". Daily Trust. 20 August 2023.
- ↑ "Itsekiri marginalised despite contributions to Nigeria's oil wealth". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria.
- ↑ "Itsekiri, Isoko Candidates Battle For Delta South Senatorial Seat". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria. 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ↑ "Itsekiris Lament Continued Marginalisation In Political, Economic Spaces". Independent. Lagos, Nigeria.
- ↑ "Itsekiri demand creation of warri state".
- ↑ "Rights activist supports call for creation of Warri State". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria.
- ↑ Ayobami (2025-02-06). "Reps propose creation of Etiti, Lagoon, Warri, Okun, 27 other new states". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-02-09.
- ↑ "Itsekiri highest producers of oil in Delta, Edo not Urhobo – Expert – Vanguard News". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2024-07-07. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ↑ "Oil and gas sector: Tinubu urged to intervene in alleged marginalization of Itsekiri". Daily Post. Lagos, Nigeria. 24 April 2024.
- ↑ "Warri pilotage direction" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19.
- ↑ "Port of Koko, Nigeria".
- ↑ "Port of ESCRAVOS (NG ESC) details – Departures, Expected Arrivals and Port Calls | AIS MarineTraffic". Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ↑ https://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/in-itsekiri-land-a-new-dawn-in-commercial-fishing-courtesy-fg-2/amp/
- ↑ "Warri Koko Tour: Nana Living History Museum and River Cruise".
- ↑ "Nanna Living History Museum, Koko". 6 April 2017.
- ↑ Badmus, Bola (2023-08-17). "Ministerial list: Coalition, Itsekiri people appeal to Tinubu over marginalisation". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ↑ "Delta: Itsekiri laments alleged marginalisation by oil companies". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2025-08-16.