For many years, Ijebu-Ode was known for bad roads. Travelling through this ancient town often meant dodging potholes, dealing with flooded streets in the rainy season and slow trips that frustrated both commuters and drivers. This situation shaped how people viewed the town, and rightly so. But today, Ijebu-Ode is sharing a new story.
Since taking office on 29 May 2019, Governor Dapo Abiodun has launched one of the biggest road renewal programmes in the town’s history. He is changing important roads and making travel easier across residential, commercial and recreational areas. This change is part of the Infrastructure section of his ISEYA agenda, which understands that development starts with good roads.
In Ijebu-Ode, roads that had been ignored for years have been rebuilt, fixed or widened, making it easier for residents, businesses and visitors to move around.
The list of finished projects is impressive. Awujale Road, Ogbagba Street, the Molipa/Fusigboye/Ayegun/Ojofa Road network, Asafa Oke/Asafa Isale/Ojofa Street, the Molipa Expressway to Ibadan Garage, Ejinrin/Oluwalogbon Road, Aiyegbami/Oju Ega Streets, Oyingbo-Olisa-Saka Ashiru Road, Ijebu-Ode Club Road near the Bisi Onabanjo Mausoleum, Awokoya Road, Igbeba-Talbort-Yidi Lane, Imoru Road, Osinubi-New Road, and the Odo Egbo Junction/Ereko Street/Ondo Road corridor have all seen major improvements under the current administration.
Beyond the town, the Ijebu-Ode/Epe/Sagamu-Benin Interchange Flyover has helped traffic flow at one of Ogun State’s busiest spots. This has improved the link between Ogun and nearby Lagos State while reducing congestion for many drivers. The pace of development has stayed steady.
On 18 June this year, Governor Abiodun opened Tam Balogun Road and Luba/Stadium Road. These two key projects have made it easier to access businesses, schools and leisure spots in the town. For traders, these roads lower transport costs and vehicle upkeep. For residents, they cut down travel time and improve access to important services. For visitors, they make the town more welcoming and easier to get around. Construction is still ongoing.
Asphalt work has started or progressed on Olojabara Street, Imoru Road and Sabo-Itanrin Road, showing the government’s commitment to better road infrastructure in Ijebu-Ode. These ongoing projects show that the government is not just doing things for show but has a clear plan for long-lasting road improvements.
Engr. Ade Akinsanya, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, says the focus has been on building strong roads that last instead of projects meant just for political gain. This approach is clear in the quality and extent of the work being done. The benefits of these projects go beyond just laying down asphalt.
Good roads boost the economy by helping businesses transport goods easily. They cut down travel time, lower transport costs, improve emergency services, enhance access to healthcare and schools, and make areas more appealing to investors. They also improve daily life for residents who no longer have to deal with roads that were almost impossible to use.
Visitors to Ijebu-Ode are noticing the changes. Those attending the annual Ojude Oba Festival, for example, now find it easier to get into and around the town than they did a few years ago. Residents who use these roads daily also see how much better things have become since 2019.
Like any growing city, Ijebu-Ode still has roads that need fixing. Development is a continuous process, and no responsible government claims to have completed every project. But it would be hard for anyone to deny the major changes that have already happened.
Governor Dapo Abiodun has not only fixed roads; he has improved connections, boosted economic activity and made life better for thousands of residents. The road improvements in Ijebu-Ode show a clear vision for development that values functionality over flashiness and long-term benefits over quick wins.
Discussions about Ijebu-Ode should focus on what is happening now, not on old views. Anyone who drives through the town today can see that a real transformation is happening, one road at a time.
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