Oyo Appeals for Calm and Dialogue as Protests Persist Over Ibadan Circular Road Expansion and Demolition Threat

The Oyo State Government today, Tuesday, November 18, 2025, issued a formal appeal for calm and dialogue following persistent protests by residents affected by the construction of the Rashidi Ladoja Ibadan Circular Road. The demonstrations, which have occurred repeatedly over the last week, are against the government’s alleged move to expand the road corridor beyond its original boundaries, potentially leading to mass demolitions.

The appeal was made public by Dr. Morohunkola Thomas, the Director-General of the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED). Dr. Thomas acknowledged the hardship faced by the affected property owners but stressed that the 110-kilometre Circular Road is a crucial “economic backbone” aimed at easing traffic congestion and spurring massive development across the state.

“The Circular road is a major infrastructure project which aims to ease traffic congestion, open new opportunities, improve transportation and enhance the overall quality of life of people across the state,” Thomas said in the statement. He appealed to the protesters to “sheathe their sword, see beyond today, and embrace the development the government is bringing to the state.”

Dispute Over the Corridor

The core of the dispute lies in the width of the road corridor. Protesting residents, drawn from multiple local government areas including Akinyele, Oluyole, and Egbeda, insist that the state government must adhere to the original 150 metres marked by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja. They argue that the current administration is allegedly planning to expand the corridor, threatening thousands of existing houses.

The protests have not been without disruption, as demonstrators blocked key roads, including the busy Iwo Road intersection, resulting in significant traffic gridlock and stranding thousands of motorists and commuters.

Governor Seyi Makinde had previously commented on the unrest, dismissing the protests as being politically orchestrated by detractors of his administration. However, the government’s latest appeal through OYMASED underscores the continuing pressure the administration faces from the affected communities to guarantee fair land acquisition and minimize loss of property.