Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for transforming Ibadan into a modern, liveable city through people-centred projects that ease mobility and improve the quality of life for residents.
Obasanjo gave the commendation on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the commissioning of the Ibadan Central Bus Terminal, Iwo Road, a dual-terminal complex featuring waiting halls, ticketing booths, eateries, elevators, escalators, restrooms, and large parking spaces.
Speaking at the colourful event, the former president praised Makinde for his foresight in modernising transportation in Ibadan, the third-largest city in Nigeria by population and the largest by land area.
Obasanjo, who stated, “Governor Makinde, you are on the right path. Continue to serve with focus and sincerity. Posterity will remember you kindly” noted that the four new bus terminals in Iwo Road, Challenge, and Ojoo had redefined public commuting in the metropolis.
“Governor Makinde, you have done so well. You are making Ibadan liveable and comfortable for its residents. Ibadan is vast, and movement across the city is not easy. These terminals will make trading and living here much easier. You are not just an engineer; you are now into political engineering, and I’m proud of you”, Obasanjo said.
The elder statesman described Makinde as an Omoluabi and advised him to remain undeterred by criticisms of his policies.
“Those abusing you today will praise you tomorrow. I was also abused, but today many of them celebrate me. Stay focused,” he said.
He further urged residents to maintain the new facility and use it responsibly, describing it as “a legacy project that belongs to the people.”
In his remarks, Governor Makinde said the four bus terminals, Challenge, Ojoo, New Ife Road, and Iwo Road, were conceived to reduce congestion and make movement across the city seamless.
He emphasised that his administration’s infrastructural drive was apolitical and focused solely on building a modern, efficient Oyo State.
“The completion of this Ibadan Central Bus Terminal is another demonstration of our resolve to engineer a modern Oyo State. We’re not just building structures; we’re building systems that work for the people”, Makinde said.
The governor recounted that the site of the terminal once hosted a mosque that had to be relocated for the project, noting that his government fulfilled its promise by constructing a new, modern mosque in its place.
“When people politicised the demolition, I told them we would rebuild a better one, and we did. So, on other projects, we’ll stay focused. We made promises, and we’re keeping them,” he added.
Makinde revealed that his administration had also completed the dual carriageway from Iwo Road to Adegbayi and applied for Federal Government approval to extend it to the Oyo State boundary at Asejire.
Addressing the ongoing protests over land acquisition for the 110km Ibadan Circular Road, the governor reiterated that the project is “the economic backbone” of Oyo State.
He said, “This is not just a road; it’s a corridor of opportunity,” he explained. “We are creating space for industries, logistics hubs, and housing estates that will drive the state’s economy for the next two decades.”
Makinde announced plans to meet with genuine property owners alongside the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and traditional leaders to resolve grievances, insisting that long-term development required foresight and sacrifice.
“Cities that fail to plan for tomorrow are swallowed by the chaos of today. This corridor isn’t for me; it’s for generations to come,” he said.
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, described the project as “a vivid demonstration of purposeful governance,” recalling that the Iwo Road area once bore the pain of construction but now stands as a model of progress.
“The pain of yesterday has become the joy of today. This terminal will ease congestion, boost commerce, and enhance Ibadan’s aesthetics. We’ll keep supporting the governor’s vision to modernise Oyo State”, Ogundoyin said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Infrastructure, and Transport, Hon. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, said the new terminals were built to international standards, prioritising safety, accessibility, and sustainability.
He described the project as “a symbol of intentional governance and proof that Oyo State is moving towards sustainable urban mobility.”
The event drew prominent personalities, including Deputy Governor Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; former Deputy Governor Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; former Minister Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande; Elders’ Council leaders Elder Wole Oyelese and Chief Saka Balogun; and representatives of the Olubadan and Alaafin of Oyo.
Also present were SSG Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, Head of Service Mrs Bunmi Oni, members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, and traditional rulers from across the state.
