By Our Correspondent
National News – Stakeholders in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday called for urgent reforms to tackle worsening infrastructure deficits and unemployment in the ancient city.
The appeal was made during the 2026 Ibadan Conference organised by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes in honour of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at Bode Amao Hall, Ibadan House, Oke-Aremo, in Ibadan North Local Government Area.
Participants warned that failure to address the city’s infrastructure challenges could threaten its economic growth and historical significance.
The conference formed part of activities marking the 2026 Ibadan Cultural Festival and gathered traditional leaders, academics, policymakers and professionals.
Discussions centred on the theme, “Ibadan: Remembering Our Past, Understanding Our Present, Designing Our Future.”
Chairman of the occasion, Kazeem Adeduntan, President and Founder of Sequola Holdings and Pro-Chancellor of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, described Ibadan as a historic civilisation facing modern challenges.
He explained that the city must adopt coordinated strategies to address urbanisation pressures, infrastructure decay, traffic congestion and environmental stress.
According to him, Ibadan’s development depends on collective efforts from government institutions, community leaders and citizens.
He stressed that meaningful progress would only occur if stakeholders unite behind a clear vision for the city’s future.
Delivering the keynote lecture, the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Summit University, Offa, Prof. Abiodun Aibinu, said Ibadan had reached a critical stage in its development and must adopt reforms that prioritise employment, infrastructure expansion and skills development.
Aibinu identified major challenges confronting the city, including flooding, housing deterioration, unemployment, high living costs and weak healthcare systems.
He explained that tackling these issues requires shifting from a resource-driven economy to a knowledge-based economy supported by innovation, education and stronger institutions.
He also called for grassroots governance reforms and recommended integrating traditional structures, including the Mogaji system, into formal governance frameworks to strengthen community-level development.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee, Mogaji Moshood Akere, said the conference was introduced to encourage deeper intellectual discussions on the city’s future during the annual cultural celebration.
Dignitaries at the event included the Ayingun Olubadan, Babajide Ayoade, representing the Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Kola Adegbola; CCII President-General Ajeniyi Ajewole; and former CCII Chairman Bayo Oyero.
Awards were also presented to notable personalities for their contributions to Ibadan’s development.
