Oyo State Government reaffirms its commitment to building resilient cities through sustainable urban development, digitized land administration, climate adaptation, and private sector partnerships, as highlighted by Commissioner Williams Akin-funmilayo
The Oyo State government is actively advancing its commitment to creating more Oyo resilient cities, focusing intensely on sustainable urban development and significantly enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
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This commitment was underscored by Mr. Williams Akin-funmilayo, Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, during an International Conference on a Sustainable Built Environment held at the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, University of Ibadan.
Commissioner Akin-funmilayo proudly stated that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration is at the forefront of integrating resilience into urban planning strategies.
He elaborated on the immense pressure faced by cities across Africa, particularly in Nigeria, due to rapid urban population growth often outpacing existing planning frameworks.
By 2050, it is projected that over 70% of Nigeria’s population will reside in urban areas.
The Commissioner maintained that resilience is no longer optional but a necessity. He acknowledged that Oyo State is not immune to these challenges, citing the ever-expanding Ibadan metropolitan area and the increasing rural-urban migration.
Pressures in towns like Ogbomoso, Oyo, Saki, Iseyin, and Ibarapa are leading to growing demands for housing, services, and land.
Akin-funmilayo noted that these challenges, however, present opportunities for the State Government to innovate, reform, and build more resilient cities.
Detailing the Urban Renewal Policy framework, the Lands Commissioner explained that in 2021, the current administration launched a renewed Urban Renewal Strategy.
This initiative aims to make cities within Oyo State more liveable, inclusive, and future-proof. Key components include:
1. Comprehensive upgrading of both major and inner-city roads and drainage systems.
2. Revitalization of public facilities and infrastructure, such as schools and health centers.
Akin-funmilayo highlighted the Digitization and GIS-Based Land Administration through the Oyo State Geographic Information System (OYOGIS) as one of the most transformative initiatives.
He revealed that OYOGIS has mapped over 45% of Ibadan’s metropolitan land, enabling the Ministry of Lands, Housing and and Urban Development to issue Certificates of Occupancy within weeks, rather than years.
This significantly enhances tenure security, reduces land disputes, and encourages planned development.
Following the devastating Ibadan floods in 2011 and recent extreme weather events, the State Government has embedded climate adaptation into its planning.
This includes massive channelization of rivers and streams across Ibadan, along with the construction of drainages, culverts, and bridges.
These efforts are guided by international best practices through the the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), in collaboration with the World Bank.
Resilience is not optional but necessity and Oyo State is not immune to these challenges from the ever- expanding Ibadan metropolitan area to the rural – urban migration.
The Commissioner also shed light on the Ministry’s evolved and sustainable approach to providing land for housing development through a “Land Swap” arrangement.
Under this model, the Government, via the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, provides land as equity, while the private sector (infrastructure partners) develops essential infrastructure such as roads, drainage, water, and electricity.
He further hinted that the Ministry, in collaboration with the private sector, has embarked on providing affordable housing schemes in other major towns across the state, including Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki, and Iseyin, facilitated by a Real-time property search and tracking (AWARI app).
“Through this journey, Oyo State Government has learned a few key lessons to share,” Akin-funmilayo stated.
“Resilience is local. Global frameworks are helpful but urban planning must be grounded in local realities – social, environmental and cultural. We have benefited immensely from collaboration with the private sector (developers, infrastructure partners, investors, consultants), other government agencies, international organizations and grassroots communities.”
He concluded by extending an open invitation: “I also hope to foster collaboration with academia such as the University of Ibadan. I want to extend an open invitation to all of you researchers, students, and private sector partners to work with the Oyo State Government to co-create the resilient futures.”
The statement was officially e-signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Oyo State, on June 5, 2025.
