By Ofem John, JkNewsMedia Intern
MASSIVE URBAN renewal efforts are underway in Abeokuta as the Ogun State Government edges closer to completing its ambitious Urban Regeneration Scheme, with over 150 of the planned 200-plus housing units already delivered within the Ibara Government Reservation Area (GRA).
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who led an inspection of the site, said the initiative was conceived to transform Abeokuta into a modern capital city worthy of its historical and administrative prominence.
The project, he noted, represents a major step in restoring order and redefining infrastructure within one of the state’s most strategically important residential districts.
The governor described the previous state of the Ibara GRA as deplorable, recounting how the area had become a haven for criminals and a zone of illegal occupation.
According to him, several government-owned structures were unlawfully converted into private properties by unauthorised individuals before the state’s intervention.
“Sometime in March, after holding several town hall meetings and consultations with those living here, most of whom were illegal occupants, we agreed on terms that ensured no one was rendered homeless,” Governor Abiodun said.
“We managed to do what previous administrations either lacked the foresight or political will to achieve. The Ogun State capital cannot continue to look the way it did, especially in a highbrow area like Ibara GRA.”
Governor Abiodun explained that the regeneration project, designed and executed through collaboration between the state’s Ministry of Housing and private developers, aims to deliver between 213 and 220 housing units within the estate.
He confirmed that construction is progressing steadily, with more than 150 units already completed and others at varying stages of completion.
“This development symbolises the beginning of a broader regeneration effort across Ogun State,” the governor said. “Our intention is to ensure that Abeokuta, as the capital city, truly reflects the standard and beauty of a modern metropolis while preserving its historical identity.”
The state government, he added, has adopted a similar development model for other regions, combining public sector planning with private sector participation to achieve cost-effective and sustainable housing delivery.
Abiodun highlighted ongoing projects in Ilaro, Kobape, Sagamu, Iperu, and Ijebu-Ode as part of the same long-term strategy to expand urban renewal and affordable housing opportunities.
“Kobape has almost 600 houses and still counting,” the governor disclosed. “In Sagamu, we have affordable housing schemes, same in Iperu leading to the airport corridor, and also in Ijebu-Ode.”
He explained that each project is carefully designed to meet the housing needs of different population groups, from civil servants and artisans to middle-income earners, while improving the physical and aesthetic quality of the state’s cities and towns.
Governor Abiodun also reaffirmed his administration’s determination to remain focused on its development objectives despite criticisms from detractors.
He emphasised that the government’s accountability is to the people of Ogun State who entrusted his administration with the mandate to deliver inclusive growth and infrastructure-driven progress.
“We remain accountable to the people of Ogun State who entrusted us with their mandate, not to faceless social media critics,” he said. “I challenge my detractors, if we have not constructed more roads in six years than any administration did in sixteen years, then they can say otherwise.”
The governor further assured residents that his administration’s urban renewal agenda is not limited to housing alone, but forms part of a wider integrated development policy aimed at upgrading transportation, drainage systems, public spaces, and community facilities.
He maintained that the ongoing transformation of Ibara GRA would set a benchmark for future urban projects across the state, noting that improved infrastructure and modern housing are critical to attracting investment, boosting local economies, and enhancing citizens’ living standards.
“Our goal is to leave behind a legacy of responsible governance and sustainable development,” Abiodun stated.
“The regeneration of Ibara GRA is only one example of how we are redefining the urban landscape of Ogun State through strategic planning and disciplined execution.”
The governor concluded that his administration would continue to collaborate with stakeholders, including private developers, professional bodies, and residents, to ensure that the regeneration projects reflect global best practices and deliver real value to the people.
