Egbeda Local Govt Council Poised For Growth, Says Oyo Deputy Governor; Commissions New Chairman’s Office

By Victoria Isaac

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, has described Egbeda Local Government Area as a strategic development hub, citing major infrastructure projects underway across the council.

Lawal stated this on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, while commissioning the newly constructed office complex for the Executive Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Hon. Sikiru Sanda, at the council secretariat in Egbeda, Ibadan. The event also featured the presentation of awards to former chairmen of the council.

The Deputy Governor said projects including the Ibadan Circular Road, the Air Force Base in Ajia and the Ajoda Housing Estate were expected to significantly transform the area and position Egbeda at the centre of emerging development corridors.

He appealed to residents and property owners affected by the Circular Road project to view the development as a long-term investment in the future of Oyo State, assuring that affected persons would be compensated in line with overriding public interest.

Lawal said the planning of the Circular Road corridor was intended to prevent the uncontrolled development that followed the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in 1977.

He recalled that areas around the expressway that were initially undeveloped later became heavily built-up due to inadequate planning, stressing that the Circular Road would be developed with a long-term plan covering the next 20 to 30 years.

He said Egbeda stood to benefit significantly from the planned development around the corridor.

Lawal also disclosed that the newly commissioned Chairman’s Quarters was constructed by Sanda and funded through the council’s internally generated revenue (IGR), noting that he had personally inspected the facility.

He described Egbeda as a nodal point within Ibadan, surrounded by projects expected to drive development across the area.

On concerns surrounding the Circular Road corridor, the Deputy Governor maintained that some properties might have to give way in the overriding public interest, but assured affected property owners that those whose houses had been demolished would be compensated.

He urged residents to understand the long-term development objectives of the project, saying the benefits might not be immediately visible but would serve future generations.

Speaking on the commissioned facility, Sanda described the office complex as a lasting legacy of his administration and confirmed that it was executed entirely through the council’s IGR.

He expressed appreciation to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for providing what he described as the platform and autonomy for local governments to implement development projects.

Sanda also assured residents that more projects were underway, pledging to continue serving the people of Egbeda and Oyo State until the end of his tenure.

In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Akintunde; former council chairman and former TESCOM Chairman, Chief Akin Alamu; and Co-Chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council and former Egbeda LG Chairman, Elder Wole Oyelese, commended Sanda for projects they described as impactful.

Earlier, the Head of Administration of Egbeda Local Government, Dr. (Mrs.) Monsurat Ayo-Alaga, said the new office building demonstrated the council’s commitment to prudent financial management, accountability and responsible use of public resources.

She added that the recognition of former chairmen provided an opportunity to acknowledge their contributions to the development of the council.

Ayo-Alaga also commended the Makinde administration for its interventions in education, healthcare, water, infrastructure and security as part of its grassroots development efforts.

The event was attended by the member representing Egbeda State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olasunkanmi Babalola; Oyo South APM senatorial candidate, Hon. Oguntoyinbo Ajadi; Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Pension Board, Hon. Ademola Ige; traditional rulers, religious leaders and other dignitaries.