Tinubu Flags Off N297 Billion Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road Project

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu flagged off the reconstruction and dualisation of the 56.5km Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road in Ibadan on Monday, August 24, 2026. The N297 billion project, awarded to JRB Construction Company, aims to link Oyo and Ogun states to boost regional GDP, attract investment, and improve the transport of agricultural produce. In addition to this project, the president approved the redesign of the Ibadan-Abeokuta Road and other infrastructure across the Southwest. Completion timelines vary between reports, with some citing 36 months and others suggesting a date of June 10, 2029.

The ceremony at the Idi Ayunre end of the road was marked by political friction due to the absence of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. Makinde, a presidential candidate for the Allied Peoples Movement, condemned his exclusion as a political snub and a sign of desperation regarding the 2027 elections. Minister of Works Dave Umahi apologized for the omission, stating a federal controller had incorrectly reported that the governor had traveled.

Local leaders, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, noted that the road's previous state of disrepair had fostered insecurity and criminal activity in the corridor. President Tinubu, represented by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, framed the project as a practical application of his Renewed Hope Agenda to deliver safer roads and strengthen commerce.