No fewer than 142 villages and communities in rural Ibadan have raised concerns over plans by the Oyo State government to acquire additional lands for the Ibadan Circular Road corridor, warning that the move could threaten their very existence.
The affected communities span six local government areas: Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole, Egbeda, Ona Ara, and Akinyele. Residents of these areas claim that the proposed land acquisition could result in displacement and the loss of ancestral lands, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
In separate statements, community leaders and residents appealed to the state government to reconsider the scale of the acquisition, urging dialogue and compensation measures that would protect the affected populations.
“The circular road project is important, but our communities cannot be sacrificed,” one local chief said. “We are risking extinction if this is done without proper consultation and safeguards.”
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The villagers also called on relevant government authorities, civil society organizations, and the media to intervene, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the process.
While the Ibadan Circular Road project is aimed at improving transportation and easing traffic congestion in the metropolis, the affected communities insist that development should not come at the expense of human and environmental sustainability.
This situation highlights the growing tension between urban infrastructure development and rural community rights in Oyo State, with stakeholders urging balanced solutions that consider both progress and preservation of local settlements.
Authorities are yet to issue an official response to the villagers’ complaints.