A high-powered committee set up by Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, to manage stakeholder concerns around the massive Ibadan Circular Road project, has formally briefed the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Senator) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
Committee Seeks Monarch's Wisdom on Contentious Corridor
The Circular Road Stakeholders Engagement Committee paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan at his Oke Aremo Palace on Friday, December 20, 2025. The delegation, led by its Chairman, Engineer Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem (Mogaji Adanla), was inaugurated to directly engage communities and address grievances stemming from protests against the proposed 110-kilometre road corridor.
Engineer Karheem traced the committee's origin to Governor Makinde's promise on November 26, 2025, during a meeting with protesters. The governor had pledged to form a broad-based team to examine all complaints and advise the government. The chairman praised Oba Ladoja for his visionary role in initiating the land acquisition process for the Circular Road during his own tenure as governor, which laid the groundwork for the current administration's efforts.
Field Assessments and Community Engagement Underway
Providing a detailed activity update, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on New Towns and Cities Development, Mrs. Mofoluke Adebiyi, outlined the committee's proactive steps. She stated that work began with an inaugural meeting involving a 14-man team of representatives from the six affected local government areas.
This was followed by on-the-spot assessment visits to interact with residents and document local practices that may conflict with official policy. Mrs. Adebiyi confirmed that visits had already been completed in Oluyole, Ona Ara, Akinyele, and Ido Local Government Areas. The visits to the remaining two LGAs—Egbeda and Lagelu—were scheduled to take place immediately after the palace engagement.
Olubadan Stresses Fair Compensation and Warns Against Speculation
In his response, Oba Rashidi Ladoja provided crucial historical context. He recalled that the original land acquisition under his governorship covered 75 metres on each side of the road, with compensation duly paid to landowners at the time.
The monarch confirmed subsequent discussions with Governor Makinde regarding the expansion of the corridor to 500 metres—a move that is now the central point of public agitation. Oba Ladoja urged the committee to pursue a fair and win-win resolution for all parties. While reaffirming the project's immense socio-economic value for Ibadan and Oyo State, he issued a firm directive that all affected property owners must be promptly and adequately compensated in line with current economic realities.
The Olubadan also issued a strong warning against rampant land speculation along the designated corridor. He called on the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA) and other relevant agencies to protect unsuspecting members of the public from exploitative practices.
Looking to the future, the royal father advised the state government to consider integrating a complementary rail line along the Circular Road to enhance the movement of goods to industrial hubs. He also recommended the installation of weighbridges to protect the road's infrastructure and ensure it meets its designed lifespan.
Committee Composition and Continued Field Work
The committee is a diverse body comprising:
- Prominent Ibadan Mogajis (family heads).
- Chairmen of the six affected LGAs: Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele, and Ido.
- Representatives from key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
- Management of the OYNTCDA.
Present at the palace meeting were the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, senior palace officials, and committee members including the Executive Chairman of Egbeda LGA and Committee Vice-Chairman, Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda, and the Executive Chairman of Lagelu LGA, Hon. Kamorudeen Mudashiru. Officials from the Ministries of Lands, Works, Justice, and Security were also in attendance.
Following the palace engagement, the committee proceeded as planned to Egbeda and Lagelu LGAs for its third batch of field visits. The team met with residents in communities including Fasade, Ayede, Ejioku, Idi-Igba/Aba Oyo, and Eni-Oosa to continue its fact-finding and dialogue mission.
