Ibadan Residents Protest Planned Expansion Of Circular Road Corridor

Thousands of residents across six local government areas in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, staged a massive protest against alleged plans by the state government to acquire additional lands for the Ibadan Circular Road project.

The demonstrators, drawn from Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole, and Egbeda Local Government Areas, blocked major roads across the city, causing heavy traffic congestion in key areas such as Iwo Road and the Agodi Government Secretariat.

At the secretariat, tension was high as the protesters completely sealed off the entrances, halting vehicular movement in and out of the complex.

Some Muslim protesters were seen observing prayers on the highway while others chanted slogans such as “No more corridor!” and “Leave our land alone!”

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters urged the Oyo State Government to respect the existing 150-metre boundary initially approved for the project under the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

Speaking with journalists, one of the protesters described the march as peaceful and non-partisan, stressing that the residents were only defending their homes and livelihoods.

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“This peaceful protest is not political. Nobody sponsored us. We are only protecting our properties and appealing to the governor to complete the circular road but maintain the current boundary,” the resident said.

Another protester noted that the land acquisition for the Ibadan Circular Road dates back to 2005, insisting that many residents had settled in the affected communities long before the project commenced.

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“The circular road project started around 2005. Many of us have been living here before then. Some even bought their lands after seeing the pillars marking the boundary. We are not against development, but government should not displace us,” the protester added.

The protesters maintained that any move to extend the corridor beyond the agreed 150-metre limit would amount to injustice and an infringement on their property rights.

As they chanted, “No more corridor! Circular is okay!” the demonstrators vowed to continue peaceful resistance until the government assures them that their lands will not be forcefully taken.