12/04/2026
A stakeholders’ meeting consisting of selected representatives from residents and property owners along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor was held on April 11, 2026, at Pelican Hub, Gbopa. The meeting brought together landowners and homeowners from the affected local government areas, including Egbeda, Akinyele, Oluyole, Ido, Ona Ara and Lagelu.
Participants expressed strong concerns over the demolition of properties located within the 75-meter right of way without compensation by the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde. They decried what they described as the unlawful acquisition of a 1,000-meter corridor along the 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road. The residents called on the government to revert to the original corridor contained in the 75 meters established in 2006 under former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, which they consider lawful and humane.
The residents also rejected the Deed of Sublease proposed by the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Agency as a replacement for their revoked land titles. They described the proposal as fraudulent and a violation of their constitutional right to property ownership, insisting that their lands were not previously acquired in accordance with Nigerian law. They further emphasized that land documentation should be processed through the Ministry of Lands, not Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority oyntcda , a state development agencies also stressing that they reject the win win agreement being put forward by the government as the government has nothing to loose if they yield to the voice of the masses
An appeal was made to the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, and other lawmakers from the affected local governments not to approve any legislation that would legitimize the expansion to a 1,000-meter corridor against the will of the people.
Residents maintained that their lands had valid titles and were not under acquisition before the current administration. They questioned how such lands could be taken without due notice or due process, expressing frustration over the situation.
They also noted that appeals had been made to the National Assembly and the House of Representatives to intervene and protect their rights. The residents demanded immediate and adequate compensation for those whose properties had been demolished over the past two years. Additionally, they urged the state government to consider reducing the 75-meter to 40 meters in densely populated areas, arguing that less space is sufficient for the road construction as seen in the ongoing construction.
The meeting highlighted unity among affected communities, stressing that their cause is driven by their attachment and love to their homes and land, not political affiliations. They urged any political aspirants who wish to support them to do so by using their political power and office to ensure that their land is restored to them unconditionally rather than financial aid or inducement.
While expressing their grievances, the residents reaffirmed their support for infrastructural development. They commended past and present administrations for conceiving the Ibadan Circular Road project but insisted that its implementation must be fair, lawful, and considerate of the rights of affected citizens.
