In the Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State Government has announced intentions to create a new commercial district through Commissioner Williams Funmilayo. Out of the 3,149 hectares that will make up the Ilu-tuntun Business District, 598.613 hectares will be used for a resettlement program for displaced villages, and 833.853 hectares that are already developed will not be purchased. The project itself will occupy 1,717.235 hectares of this land. Structures in the impacted areas will be evaluated and valued by the government starting on November 4, 2024.
This project’s goals are to boost the local economy, generate employment, and enhance citizens’ quality of life. Funmilayo promoted community collaboration and Private Sector participation to guarantee the project’s success. Chairman of the local council Wole Akinleye appreciated the project and said other villages are hopeful about its success. The choice to establish a business district at Akinleye is probably due to the area’s advantageous location and the overarching objective of establishing Ibadan as a commercial centre in southwest Nigeria.
Oyo State’s long-term development strategy is in line with this initiative.
Situated on Ibadan’s northern suburbs, Akinleye provides easy access to major highways as well as close proximity to growing residential and commercial districts. Due to its relatively undeveloped territory, it may accommodate large-scale initiatives, such as a business district, without displacing highly populated urban centres. Additionally, Ibadan’s expanding population and urban sprawl probably call for the Construction of new commercial hubs to relieve traffic in the city centre and boost local economies. Oyo State’s long-term development strategy, which emphasises luring investment, enhancing infrastructure, and expanding job opportunities, is in line with this initiative.
For instance, the Oyo State Development Plan (2021–2025) emphasises urban planning, infrastructural development, and industrial growth as crucial pillars of economic advancement. This framework is supported by the establishment of the Ilu-tuntun economic District, which boosts regional Trade and economic activity, draws in private investments, and stimulates local economies. The development of such a business district might have a positive economic impact by generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs, especially in the retail, construction, real estate, logistics, and service industries.
Comparable projects in Nig usually generate 10,000-50,000 employment.
Corporate headquarters, Manufacturing facilities, Retail establishments, and Logistics centres are frequently drawn to business districts, which diversifies the local economy. Depending on the scope and amount of investment, comparable projects in Nigeria are predicted to normally generate between 10,000 and 50,000 employment. The Ilu-tuntun district might see a similar effect if the government can get enough private sector participation, adding jobs for continuing operations and management as well as during the building phase. Villagers who are impacted by the resettlement plan could feel conflicted.
Some may be excited about the prospect of modern infrastructure, employment prospects, and economic growth, while others may be worried about losing their ancestral lands, being uprooted, and having their livelihoods disrupted. Although the government’s allocation of 598.613 hectares as a resettlement area demonstrates some respect for the impacted populations, land alone is frequently insufficient for a successful relocation. In their new communities, residents often anticipate equitable remuneration, access to markets, and facilities like schools and hospitals.
Contemporary urban planning helps sustainable development techniques.
A project of this magnitude in a rural or semi-urban location would probably have a major influence on the local ecology in terms of environmental impact. Deforestation, degraded soil, contaminated water, and loss of wildlife habitat are some examples of this. On the other hand, contemporary urban planning promotes Sustainable Development techniques include the use of Eco-friendly building materials, the creation of green areas, and appropriate waste management. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) must be carried out by the Oyo State Government in order to address these problems and lessen any unfavourable effects. If properly run, the business district might be a template for Nigeria’s ecologically responsible urban growth.