Circular Road Committee Visits Olubadan, Briefs Monarch On Activities

The Circular Road Stakeholders Engagement Committee set up by the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to look into the grievances of those protesting against the planned corridor for the 110-kilometer-long road infrastructure, has paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba (Senator) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1 at the magnificent Oke Aremo Palace to brief him on the activities of the committee and seek royal guidance on how to further successfully prosecute its assignment.

The committee, made up of some prominent Ibadan Mogajis (family heads), the Chairmen of the six local government areas in Ibadan through which the Circular Road passes (Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele, and Ido), representatives of the cognate Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the management of Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA), was warmly received by the Olubadan, in company with the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade and other senior palace officials.

While explaining the mission of the the committee to Kabiyesi Olubadan, the Chairman of the committee, Engr. Abduljelyl Adekunle Karheem MCIArb, MCIOB, MCABE Mogaji Adanla credited the committees inauguration to His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makindes pronouncement during his direct interface with the anti-Circular Road corridors protesters on 26th November, 2025 that he would set up a broad-based ad-hoc committee to further engage them, look into their grievances, and advise Government based on its findings.

Mogaji Adanla praised the revered monarch for his foresight of envisioning the Circular Road project and making the first bold move of acquiring land for it, which has culminated in the gigantic strides being taken by the Engr. Seyi Makindes administration to bring it to fruition.

Elaborating on this, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on New Towns and Cities Development, Mrs. Mofoluke Adebiyi catalogued the activities of the committee thus far. She stated that the committee started out by holding an inaugural meeting with the 14-man team representing the affected persons across the six LGAs (as selected by themselves), after which it set out on on-the-spot assessment visits to the impacted communities, meeting with the affected people, and taking note of community-by-community peculiarities vis-à-vis the Governments policy statements. Mrs. Adebiyi concluded that the committee had so far visited Oluyole, Ona Ara, Akinyele, and Ido LGAs, while its visits to Egbeda and Lagelu LGAs were scheduled for same day after the meeting with the Olubadan.

In his remarks, Oba Rashidi Ladoja acknowledged that his administration as Oyo State Governor made the original acquisitions of 75 meters left and 75 meters right of the Circular Road, and paid off compensations to owners of the acquired lands.

He said that he had earlier met with Governor Seyi Makinde who briefed him on the extension of the corridor to 500 meters by the immediate past administration, which is the current bone of contention by the agitators, and further to which he advised the Governor on exploring a win-win solution to the issue.

While Oba Ladoja admitted that the potentials of the Circular Road for the socio-economic development of Ibadan and Oyo State were not in doubt, he strongly canvassed that those whose properties would be impacted by its implementation should be adequately and promptly compensated in tandem with the prevailing economic realities.

The foremost Oba also pinpointed the prevalence of land speculators along the Circular Road axis, urging the operatives of OYNTCDA and other concerned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to safeguard unsuspecting members of the public against falling for their antics.

Oba Ladoja concluded his remarks by advising that the State Government should consider introducing a rail system running parallel to the Circular Road to complement transportation of goods and materials along the industrial hubs, as well as installing weighbridges on the road to ensure it would last its design lifespan.

Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of the committee, the Executive Chairman of Egbeda LGA (who doubles as the Vice-Chairman of the Committee), Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda saluted Kabiyesis passion and vigour in the service of Ibadanland and Oyo State before and since his ascension to the throne. He promised the monarch that his counsel and suggestions would be brought to bear on the committees assignment.

Other members of the committee who were in attendance at the courtesy visit included the Executive Chairman of Lagelu LGA, Hon. Kamorudeen Mudashiru; Mogaji Olawale Oladoja (Mogaji Akinsola); Mogaji Adewale Badmus (Mogaji Itabigbo); and Mogaji Adewale Bankole (Mogaji Alago).

Aside from the management and staff of OYNTCDA, representatives of the Ministries of Land, Housing & Urban Development; Works & Public Infrastructure; and Justice; as well as Office of the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Security were also in attendance.

The committee then proceeded on its third batch of the surveillance visits to Egbeda and Lagelu LGAs, during which it met with the community people at various spots, including Fasade, Ayede, Ejioku, Idi-Igba/Aba Oyo, and Eni-Oosa.

—Kunle Bakare.