Stakeholders in Ibadan, Oyo State, have called for urgent and coordinated reforms to tackle growing infrastructure deficits and rising unemployment, warning that failure to act could hinder the city’s growth and historical relevance.
The call was made at the 2026 Ibadan Conference organised by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes in honour of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja. The event, held at Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, formed part of activities marking the Ibadan Cultural Festival.
The conference, themed “Ibadan: Remembering Our Past, Understanding Our Present, Designing Our Future,” brought together traditional leaders, academics, policymakers and professionals to discuss the city’s development challenges.
Chairman of the occasion and President of Sequola Holdings, Kazeem Adeduntan, described Ibadan as a historic civilisation facing modern pressures that demand deliberate and unified responses. He stressed that meaningful progress would require collective action rather than isolated efforts.
Adeduntan highlighted key challenges facing the city, including rapid urbanisation, poor infrastructure, traffic congestion, environmental strain and unequal access to opportunities, noting that a shared vision is essential for sustainable development.
In his keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Summit University Offa, Abiodun Aibinu, described Ibadan as a city at a critical turning point. He urged stakeholders to prioritise job creation, infrastructure development and skills acquisition.
Aibinu identified major issues confronting the city, including flooding, housing deterioration, environmental degradation, unemployment, high cost of living and weak healthcare systems. He emphasised the need to transition from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-driven one through investment in education and innovation.
He also called for stronger collaboration among government, institutions, communities and the diaspora, as well as grassroots governance reforms that integrate traditional structures into formal development frameworks.
Chairman of the Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee, Moshood Akere, said the conference was introduced to deepen policy dialogue and intellectual engagement within the annual cultural celebration.
Dignitaries at the event included representatives of the Olubadan, traditional leaders and prominent indigenes. Awards were also presented to distinguished individuals in recognition of their contributions to the development of Ibadan.
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