Stakeholders committee meets Olubadan to address protests, compensation, and development concerns surrounding Oyo State’s Circular Road project.
The Oyo State Government’s resolve to address grievances arising from the proposed alignment of the Circular Road project took a significant step forward as the Circular Road Stakeholders Engagement Committee paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The visit formed part of broader consultations aimed at easing tensions following protests by residents affected by the corridor of the massive infrastructure project.
The delegation was received at the Oke Aremo Palace, where it formally briefed the monarch on its mandate, progress recorded so far, and challenges encountered in the course of engaging communities along the Circular Road corridor.
The committee also sought royal guidance on how best to carry out its assignment in a manner that balances development objectives with the welfare of affected residents.
Oba Ladoja welcomed the team in the company of the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, and other senior palace officials.
The engagement underscored the importance of traditional institutions in mediating between government authorities and local communities, especially on projects with wide social and economic implications.
The committee was inaugurated by Governor Seyi Makinde following public protests against the Circular Road alignment.
Speaking during the palace visit, the chairman of the committee, Engr. Abduljelyl Karheem (Mogaji Adanla), explained that the body was set up in fulfillment of the governor’s promise to protesters during an engagement held on November 26, 2025.
According to him, the governor had pledged to establish a broad-based committee to interface directly with affected communities, examine their grievances, and provide informed recommendations to the state government.
Karheem noted that the Circular Road project was not conceived in isolation, recalling that Oba Ladoja, during his tenure as governor of Oyo State, initiated the vision and took the bold step of acquiring land for the project.
He described this early intervention as the foundation upon which the current administration is building, adding that the Makinde government remains committed to inclusive development.
Providing further insight into the committee’s work, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on New Towns and Cities Development, Mrs. Mofoluke Adebiyi, disclosed that the committee commenced operations with an inaugural meeting involving a 14-member team representing affected persons across the six local government areas traversed by the Circular Road.
These include Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele and Ido.
She explained that the committee adopted a hands-on approach by conducting on-the-spot assessments in affected communities.
During these visits, members engaged directly with residents, listened to their concerns, and documented community-specific issues relating to land acquisition, compensation, and government policies.
Adebiyi revealed that visits had already been completed in Oluyole, Ona Ara, Akinyele and Ido local government areas, while engagements in Egbeda and Lagelu were scheduled for later the same day.
In his response, Oba Ladoja offered historical context to the project, recalling that his administration acquired 75 metres on each side of the Circular Road alignment and paid compensation to affected landowners at the time.
He noted that the expansion of the corridor to 500 metres by the immediate past administration had introduced new challenges and was at the heart of the current agitation.
While reaffirming his support for the Circular Road as a transformative project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for Ibadan and Oyo State, the monarch stressed that development must not come at the expense of justice.
He emphasized that landowners and residents whose properties would be affected must be adequately and promptly compensated, taking into account present-day economic realities.
Oba Ladoja also cautioned against the activities of land speculators along the Circular Road axis, warning that unsuspecting members of the public could be exploited if regulatory agencies fail to act decisively.
He urged the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA) and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to intensify public awareness and enforcement efforts.
Beyond compensation issues, the monarch offered forward-looking advice, suggesting that the state government consider introducing a rail line running parallel to the Circular Road to support the movement of goods to industrial hubs.
He also recommended the installation of weighbridges to protect the road infrastructure from damage caused by overloaded vehicles.
The Vice-Chairman of the committee and Chairman of Egbeda Local Government Area, Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda, thanked the Olubadan for his enduring commitment to the development of Ibadanland.
He assured the monarch that the committee would be guided by his counsel as it continues its engagement with communities.
Other committee members present included the Chairman of Lagelu Local Government Area, Hon. Kamorudeen Mudashiru, as well as prominent Mogajis such as Olawale Oladoja (Mogaji Akinsola), Adewale Badmus (Mogaji Itabigbo), and Adewale Bankole (Mogaji Alago).
Officials of OYNTCDA and representatives of key ministries, including Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Works and Public Infrastructure; Justice; and the Office of the Executive Adviser on Security, were also in attendance.
Following the palace visit, the committee proceeded with its third round of field assessments, engaging residents in communities across Egbeda and Lagelu local government areas, including Fasade, Ayede, Ejioku, Idi-Igba/Aba Oyo and Eni-Oosa.
These engagements form part of ongoing efforts to ensure that the Circular Road project progresses with transparency, fairness, and broad community support.
Circular Road, Ibadan Circular road, Oyo State infrastructure, Ibadan Circular road committee, Land compensation, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Ireport247news
