IBADAN TRANSFORMATION: Commuters Applaud Makinde as Orderliness Returns to the ‘Brown Roof City’- NIFEMI PETERS

IBADAN — Residents and visitors to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, are expressing pleasant surprise at the unprecedented level of traffic compliance and urban sanitation currently sweeping through the ancient city.

For years, Ibadan was synonymous with chaotic traffic snarls, the dominance of tough non-state actors on the roads, and a general disregard for transit laws. However, a recent tour of the metropolis reveals a striking shift in commuter behavior, with drivers now adhering strictly to traffic signals.

Observing the change, a social commentator, Segun Olowookere, noted that the level of orderliness has caught many by surprise.

“It took me by surprise to see the level of compliance with traffic lights in Ibadan,” Olowookere remarked. “The city was previously known for thugs and unlawful behavior among commuters, but seeing the way orderliness is back to the ‘brown roof city’ has left me in awe of the great job the Seyi Makinde administration is doing in restoring peace and discipline.”

Beyond the roads, the war against filth appears to be gaining significant ground. Historically labeled as one of the dirtiest cities in Nigeria, Ibadan is shedding that skin as the state government intensifies its cleanup “operation.”

Major hubs previously notorious for massive refuse heaps on road medians are now sporting a cleaner look. Investigations show a marked improvement in several high-traffic areas:

• Agodi Gate & Iwo Road: Once hotspots for congestion and waste, these areas are being systematically cleared.
• Oje & Apere: Areas formerly burdened by heavy refuse disposal are now seeing regular evacuation.
• Molete: Often criticized for roadside litter, this corridor is being transformed into a cleaner environment.

The current transformation is being credited to the deliberate policies of the Governor Seyi Makinde administration, which has prioritized urban renewal and the enforcement of environmental laws.

By reclaiming the medians and ensuring the functionality of traffic lights, the government is successfully rebranding the city’s image. What were once “refuse hubs” are fast becoming “havens of neatness,” signaling a new era of civil responsibility for the people of Oyo State.