Ibadan Circular Road: Makinde Reduces Corridor To 150 Metres After Residents’ Protests

Following three days of protest by residents affected by the Ibadan Circular Road project, the Oyo State Government has announced a reduction in the land acquisition width along the project corridor, from 500 metres to 150 metres in developed areas.

The decision was made public during a meeting between the National Association of Public Affairs Analysts (NAPAA) and senior government officials, including the Executive Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on the New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA), Mrs. Mofoluke Adebiyi, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

Adebiyi, a retired permanent secretary and head of the OYNTCDA, said the review was aimed at addressing public concerns without compromising the long-term vision of the Ibadan Circular Road. She clarified that while developed areas will now be limited to a 150-metre acquisition, undeveloped areas will retain the original 500-metre width.

Ibadan Residents Protest Planned Expansion Of Circular Road Corridor

“There is no new acquisition. When you listen to some radio stations, you’ll hear them saying Governor Makinde has taken their land. That’s not true, since 2019, no new land has been acquired along that axis,” she said.

Tracing the project’s history, Adebiyi explained that the initial acquisition of 75 metres on each side was approved by former governor Rashidi Ladoja in 2005, later expanded by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi to 425 metres in 2017, and eventually to 500 metres under the Ibadan Master Plan.

“Now, the government has agreed to reduce this to 150 metres in developed areas while maintaining 500 metres elsewhere. Compensation will be paid where appropriate,” she added.

She further noted that the Global Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) held by OYNTCDA was introduced to streamline land administration and ensure orderly development. Property owners in developed zones, she said, could still apply for individual C of Os under the coordinated plan.

In his remarks, Dr. Olanrewaju debunked claims that portions of the project land had been allocated to private developers, stressing that the government’s focus was on sustainable development.

“Senator Ladoja already paid compensation during his tenure. What we face now in many cases is double compensation. If the government invests billions to build this 110-kilometre road and we fail to plan the corridor properly, it would be a disservice to future generations,” he warned.

Comparing the project to urban expansion in Lagos, Olanrewaju urged residents to support the initiative.

“When you drive from Lekki to Ajah, you see organized growth on both sides of the road. That was the result of foresight and planning. We want Oyo State to experience similar economic transformation,” he said.

The Ibadan Circular Road, one of the Makinde administration’s flagship infrastructure projects, aims to decongest traffic, promote urban growth, and attract investment across the state capital and its adjoining communities.