Monitor land usage, Oyo urges residents

File Photo: The Acting Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal

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The Oyo State Government, on Thursday, urged residents of the state across the 33 Local Government Areas to be watchful, vigilant and actively monitor land usage in their respective communities.

The state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, gave this advice at the official launch of the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agriculture, held at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ibadan.

A statement released by the Special Adviser to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, noted that some individuals and organisations are in the habit of applying for lands under specific purposes but divert the same for unintended or unauthorised activities, thereby undermining the state’s long-term development goals.

Olarenwaju stressed that misuse of allocated land poses a serious challenge to sustainable development, environmental management, and community stability.

According to him, FRILIA provides clear guidelines that ensure land-based agricultural investments are properly evaluated, adequately monitored, and are beneficial to all stakeholders, particularly host communities, farmers, and investors.

He noted that it will help prevent exploitation, promote environmental sustainability and reduce land-related conflicts.

He stated, “I want to say one or two things by way of adding or expanding the presentation and that is to say that the initiative is not merely a bureaucratic measure. It is a commitment, a pledge to every individual and community within the state. It signifies the unwavering dedication to building a future that is underpinned by principles of responsibility, inclusiveness, transparency, and sustainability.

“This initiative, FRILIA, embodies our commitment to fostering an environment in which land investment is managed with integrity and care for all stakeholders in our state. Let me pause a bit and say that I have not been a farmer myself but I was born and bred in an agrarian environment. So, I can really attest to the fact that the state is blessed with arable land that, even if seeds drop unintentionally, it will sprout and grow in our state.

“So, we are blessed abundantly with regard to agri-development. And so, FRILIA is just providing a platform for prospective investors in agri-development in our state. But then, the state government must provide an enabling environment and that is why we are talking of responsibility.

“We will be responsible as an administration in land investment, recognising the right of landowners, farmers, local communities, and local government as well and any party involved in land acquisition must understand its ethical obligation to respect and uphold the rights of these parties that I have mentioned, i.e. landowners, farmers, local governments, and local communities.”

He added, “Perhaps that is the reason the Elero of Ilero has been invited, because the pilot project of this FRILIA is coming to your domain and that is why Hon Akeem Mustapha is here as the local government chairman, because this pilot project is coming to your local government. So, the Kabiyesi and the local government authority must work in synergy with investors, with a view to providing an enabling environment and peace and stability and responsibility to our prospective investors. You must also provide robust guidelines for fair land acquisition in your local government, in your domain as well.

“And through these guidelines, we will strive to create a marketplace where fairness prevails and the voices of local communities are not only heard but influential. We must also provide inclusiveness and the principle of inclusivity is deeply founded in FRILIA. Land investment should not benefit a select few while eliminating the majority; inclusive investment ensures that all segments of society, especially the marginalised and vulnerable members of the society. They must have a say in land-related transactions and decisions because, by and large, their activities must benefit the society.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me say that this is a project that must be owned by our local population. When I engaged with the Honourable Commissioner for Lands, he told me that anywhere in this state where people can provide a minimum of 500 acres of land, that is where FRILIA would be interested in investing.

“And, as a result of the launch this afternoon (Thursday), the fund is accessible and will be made available to the State Government, meaning that the supporting funds to our prospective investors in a great development in the state are available and they may be accessed as soon as necessary guidelines are put in place and prospective investors in agriculture meet the standards that will be rolled out by FRILIA. So, the money is forthcoming, serious investors must also show their heads for us in Oyo State to partner together and forge this project ahead. Our prospective investors should be well informed that this project is going to be transparent in terms of the land acquisition for you to have your investment in Oyo State and be very confident that nobody will disturb you.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the FRILIA Technical Committee and Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Fumilayo, gave an in-depth explanation of the initiative.

He disclosed that FRILIA is a flagship component of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms—a World Bank-supported programme implemented in partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

The chairman noted that the initiative is a three-year development project designed to strengthen land governance processes, empower stakeholders, and enhance the state’s capacity to manage land resources efficiently.

He explained further that the FRILIA framework outlines procedures for risk assessment; community engagement, environmental protection, compensation, and grievance redress mechanisms.

“By integrating these components, the initiative seeks to ensure that land-intensive agricultural investments are carried out with fairness, respect for community rights, and long-term sustainability.”

Speaking on the broader scope of the SABER initiative, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Musibau Babatunde, emphasised that the programme aims to create a stable and predictable environment for business growth in Oyo State.

He explained that SABER focuses on reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving transparency, and strengthening investment-friendly policies that support both local and foreign investors, adding that FRILIA aligns with the state’s economic vision by promoting agricultural transformation and enhancing food security.

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abosede Owoeye, who represented the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, noted that FRILIA is part of a comprehensive three-year World Bank agricultural reform and recovery plan introduced in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She stated that the initiative would help to modernise agricultural practices, encourage responsible land use, and create opportunities for rural development and youth empowerment.

Delivering a goodwill message, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Kolawole Gafar Bello, described FRILIA as a major economic catalyst with the potential to accelerate Oyo State’s development trajectory.

In November, the state government initiated a crackdown on unauthorised private estate developers operating contrary to approved state regulations.

The state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Akin-Funmilayo Williams, who led the enforcement team, noted that an increase in the number of private estate developers undertaking site clearing and construction activities without requisite approvals from the ministry was alarming.

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