Tension heightened on Thursday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as hundreds of residents from communities affected by the Ibadan Circular Road project stormed the Toll Gate Egbeda, end of New Ife Road to protest the state government’s planned expansion of the project corridor.
The demonstrators, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Makinde, respect our rights,” and “We say no to 850 metres corridor,” blocked sections of the Ibadan–Ife expressway for hours, causing a major traffic gridlock that disrupted vehicular movement in and out of the city.
Residents Demand Fairness in Ibadan Circular Road Expansion
The protesters, drawn from six local government areas — Akinyele, Lagelu, Egbeda, Oluyole, Ona-Ara and Ido — accused the Oyo State Government of attempting to extend the project’s right-of-way from 150 metres to as much as 850 metres, threatening to demolish more homes and displace hundreds of families in the process.
Speaking during the demonstration, one of the community leaders, Akeem Olaiya, said the residents are not opposed to development but want the government to adhere to the original boundary.
“We are law-abiding citizens. You can see that our protest is peaceful. What we need is very simple — for the state government to maintain the 150 metres already marked by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja,” Olaiya said.
Another protester, Adeniyi Fasoye, dismissed claims that the rally was politically motivated, insisting that the residents were only seeking fairness and protection of their properties.
“This protest has nothing to do with politics. Nobody is sponsoring us against Governor Seyi Makinde.
We are simply fighting for our rights and asking for fairness in the implementation of this project,” he added.
Traffic Disruption and Growing Public Anger
From about 10 a.m., the Toll Gate and adjoining sections of the Ibadan–Ife expressway became scenes of heavy traffic congestion as protesters took over both lanes.
Many commuters were stranded, while some motorists resorted to alternative routes through Iwo Road and Alakia to access the city.
Security operatives, including police officers and personnel of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), were deployed to the scene to maintain order and prevent escalation.
Eyewitnesses said the protest remained peaceful throughout the day but reflected deep frustration among affected homeowners who accused the government of ignoring their pleas.
Government Defends Project Amid Accusations.
In its response, the Oyo State Government defended the ongoing expansion of the Ibadan Circular Road corridor, describing it as a crucial infrastructural project meant to decongest Ibadan and attract private investment through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
Governor Seyi Makinde, reacting to the protests, alleged that the demonstration was “politically sponsored” and insisted that his administration would only engage with “genuine property owners” affected by the project.
“We know the political actors behind some of these disruptions.
My government is ready to talk to real residents whose properties are genuinely affected, not those being used for political reasons,” Makinde said during a media briefing in Ibadan.
He explained that the Circular Road project, first initiated in 2005, had undergone several design reviews and that the current expansion aligns with a broader master plan to accommodate future urban development.
Protesters Reject 850-Metre Corridor Proposal
Residents, however, maintain that the new alignment is excessive and inconsistent with earlier agreements.
According to their representatives, the initial 150-metre right-of-way already claimed large portions of residential land, and a further extension to 850 metres on both sides would render thousands homeless.
Community associations from Egbeda, Akinyele, and Ona-Ara local governments have jointly petitioned the governor, urging him to stop new demolitions until a fresh stakeholder meeting is convened.
“We are not against progress or the development of Oyo State,” one protest leader said.
“But no one should build progress on the tears of others. Let the government show us the survey, the compensation plan, and the reason for this expansion.”
Speaking with our correspondent, Azeez Abass Olaide, the secretary representing the affected areas, refuted the governor’s allegation that political actors were behind the protest.
“I want to debunk the statement made by the governor that some political actors are behind our protest — that claim is completely false. If anyone has evidence of such, they should bring it forward,” he said.
“The claim that we collected the sum of ₦25 million from the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, is also untrue. I, Azeez Abass Olaide, challenge anyone — including the Minister of Power himself — to present proof of such payment, whether by cash, transfer, or cheque.
“Although it is true that the minister’s foundation pledged to support our cause with ₦25 million, no such money has been received by us or any member of the affected communities,” he clarified.
Background on the Ibadan Circular Road Project
The Ibadan Circular Road was conceived to create a 110-kilometre ring road encircling the city, aimed at reducing congestion and connecting major highways such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ife, and Ibadan-Iwo roads.
The project has, however, been dogged by funding issues, contractor changes, and controversies over land acquisition.
Previous administrations had marked the right-of-way at 150 metres, but the current government’s proposal to extend the corridor up to 850 metres in some sections has become the flashpoint of the latest unrest.
Residents claim hundreds of properties already demolished in earlier phases were done without adequate compensation, and that many affected families are still waiting for payment or relocation support.
Calls for Dialogue and Transparency
Analysts and civil society groups have urged the Oyo State Government to adopt a more transparent approach to the project by publishing official maps, compensation frameworks, and environmental impact assessments.
Legal experts have also reminded the government that under Nigeria’s Land Use Act, any compulsory acquisition of land for public purposes must include fair compensation and due process.
A policy analyst in Ibadan, Dr. Tunde Alabi, told reporters that the government must balance infrastructural goals with human impact.
“The Circular Road is a visionary project, but it must not become a humanitarian crisis.
Compensation and consultation are essential if the government wants to maintain public trust,” he said.
As of Thursday evening, the protesters had dispersed peacefully after several hours of chanting and roadblock.
However, residents vowed to resume demonstrations if the government fails to revert to the original 150-metre plan.
The Ibadan Circular Road protest underscores a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s urban infrastructure drive — how to pursue modernization without eroding citizens’ rights.
Unless the government reopens dialogue and ensures fair compensation, the project risks further resistance from the very people it is meant to serve.
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