Ibadan Circular Road: Residents Demand Transparency, Urge Makinde To Respect 75-Metre Setback

​Nifemi Peters

Residents along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor have appealed to the Oyo State government to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the ongoing implementation of the multi-billion naira road project. The aggrieved homeowners, drawn from six local government areas including Oluyole, Egbeda, Ido, Akinyele, Lagelu, and Ona Ara, raised the alarm during a press conference where they decried what they described as inconsistent and selective actions by authorities.

​The Secretary of the Residents Association, Abayomi Olaiyode, who spoke on behalf of the affected communities, urged Governor Seyi Makinde to strictly adhere to the original 75-meter setback established and gazetted during the administration of Senator Rashidi Ladoja in 2006. He maintained that the government must honor this original acquisition framework and ensure that all existing communities beyond the established 75-meter limit are preserved and excluded from any further expansion or acquisition.

​The residents further demanded that adequate compensation be paid to all affected property owners within the right-of-way before any further demolition exercise is carried out. This demand, according to the association, includes those whose properties were previously demolished but are yet to receive any form of financial restitution from the state government.

​Sharing a harrowing experience, one of the affected residents lamented the severe health and economic toll the project has taken on his life. He revealed that he suffered partial paralysis and has been in constant pain since his house was marked for demolition, noting that the uncertainty surrounding his property has left him economically grounded. Other residents debunked claims that they lacked proper documentation, insisting they possess legal land titles and have yet to see any evidence of the government’s commitment to compensation.

​Lending his voice to the cause, human rights activist Kayode Babayomi emphasized that the residents are ready to defend their rights to the last breath. He noted that a clear, documented agreement on the 75-meter setback is essential to protect the people from shifting policies by successive administrations. The communities concluded by calling for a people-centered approach and early engagement with all stakeholders to prevent further hardship for the citizens of the state.