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Roads to Progress: Oyetola’s Push Delivers as Tinubu Approves Landmark Osun Projects, Lawmakers Fault Adeleke’s Priorities

Published by admin on May 3rd, 2026.

Roads to Progress: Oyetola’s Push Delivers as Tinubu Approves Landmark Osun Projects, Lawmakers Fault Adeleke’s Priorities

• Lawmakers knock Adeleke for abandoning Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan

By Adebayo Adedeji

Last week, President Bola Tinubu approved the reconstruction of two major roads in Osun State: the 59.2km Osogbo–Akoda–Gbongan road and the Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan road. With these, the number of federal road projects currently underway in the state rises to three.

Earlier, the Federal Government had approved the reconstruction of the 103km Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa road as a dual carriageway at a cost of N427 billion. The project had to be re-awarded after the previous contractor made minimal progress, but work has now commenced in earnest. Anyone who has travelled that route lately would likely have a word of prayer for the President—not just because the work is ongoing, but because of the noticeable quality of execution.

Some months ago, leaders and stakeholders in Ijesaland openly commended the President and former Osun State governor, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for their commitment to completing the road. At the coronation of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup in March 2025, Oyetola, representing the President, announced the approval for the rehabilitation of the Ilesa–Ife–Ibadan expressway. This followed earlier representations by Ijesa leaders to the minister, pressing the urgency of the project.

In a statement issued around that time by the President’s Personal Assistant on Special Duties, Kamorudeen Yusuf, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Following the approval, Ijesa leaders stayed engaged, working closely with Oyetola, who maintained regular contact with relevant authorities, particularly the Minister of Works, David Umahi, until funds were released and contractors mobilised to site.

With the addition of the two newly approved roads, the total value of federal road projects currently being executed in Osun now exceeds N600 billion: Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan (N114 billion) and Osogbo–Akoda–Gbongan (N101 billion).

Reacting to the approval of the Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan road, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, described it as a major boost for economic activities across the region. Speaking on behalf of over 35 traditional rulers in Iwoland, the monarch also acknowledged Oyetola’s role in facilitating the project.

It is worth recalling that in 2022, during his tenure as governor, Oyetola had already initiated moves to rehabilitate the road. The project was flagged off in October of that year, with Peculiar Ultimate Limited mobilised to site.

As earlier noted by this writer:

“Finally, the popular Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan road is to be rebuilt by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The road is a nerve of Osun and Oyo states because it is a major route that connects the people of both states. Without it in good condition, economy activity will suffer discomfort and dislocation.

The road is divided into two segment: Ibadan-Iwo and Osogbo-Iwo. The Ibadan-Iwo was last built by Soles Boneh Nigeria Limited in 1977. The construction of the second segment (Iwo-Osogbo, awarded at a contract sum of N11.5 million in 1977, was more challenging because it passed through shades of contractors before it was eventually inaugurated in 1990. But unfortunately, the road was shoddily done because as early as 1991, it began to show concerns.

A day of hope came in 2019 when Governor Oyetola mobilized men to site for immediate repairs while his government earnestly sought permanent solution. The two states of Ọsun and Oyo seem appear to have found the permanent solution to the perennial troubles encountered on the road and it is hoped enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, hardwork, and principally, statesmanship, brought to bear thus far by the two governors and their team will matérialise as envisaged.”

Unfortunately, shortly after assuming office, Ademola Adeleke abandoned the project. Despite significant allocations to the state, attention shifted elsewhere—particularly to road construction in his hometown and the controversial airport project.

The governor had previously halted work on the MKO Abiola International Airport in Ido-Osun, relocating the project to Ede before the Federal Government, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, intervened.

Curiously, the state government is adamant as work has since resumed on the airport. This has raised questions among observers. Why claim there are no funds to complete a critical inter-state road, yet pursue an airport project? What justifies such priorities? These concerns are far reaching, tempting the critics to accuse the governor of prioritising clannish interests over wider state needs.

Meanwhile, following the Federal Government’s approval of the Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan road reconstruction, the state government and its media allies quickly moved to shape public perception, claiming credit for facilitating the projects. Some supporters have even circulated claims that Oyetola and the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), obstructed the Ilesa–Osogbo road approval—an allegation widely dismissed by observers as insane and stupid.

If anyone is well-placed to speak on the project’s trajectory, it is the Oluwo of Iwoland, who has publicly acknowledged Oyetola’s efforts at the federal level. Federal lawmakers from the state are also in a strong position to clarify the sequence of events.

Indeed, a group of five federal lawmakers, popularly referred to as the G-5, recently pushed back against the state government’s claims.

The lawmakers stated that during a 2024 meeting with the Minister of Works, Governor Adeleke prioritised requests for refunds on federal roads executed in his hometown rather than advocating for the takeover of the Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan road to hasten the project’s completion.

They commended Oyetola for ensuring the project was re-awarded and funded, arguing that the development ultimately serves the broader interest of the people, while criticising what they described as Adeleke’s mischievous attempts to claim undue glory.