Road to the New City of Ibadan: Transforming Ona Ara and the Airport Corridor into a World-Class Urban Hub by Jimoh Razaq

Introduction: A New Vision for Ibadan

Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is a city steeped in history, culture, and resilience. Yet, as Nigeria’s urban future unfolds, Ibadan must evolve beyond nostalgia into a bold new chapter of smart growth and global relevance. Positioned strategically in the Southwest and connected to Lagos via a developing rail and highway network, Ibadan has all the ingredients to become Nigeria’s next great metropolis.

The opportunity lies in a specific area: Ona Ara Local Government and the Ibadan Airport corridor. With vast untapped land, proximity to strategic infrastructure, and access to the growing economic activities in the Southwest, this region can become the foundation of a brand-new city — purpose-built, globally competitive, and locally inclusive.

Why a New City? Why Now?

As cities like Lagos become over-congested and Abuja faces administrative limitations, Nigeria urgently needs new urban growth centers. Oyo State, with its political stability, visionary leadership, and geographic advantage, is poised to deliver that alternative.

The airport-Ona Ara corridor represents a blank canvas. However, unstructured settlements, poor planning, and land fragmentation stand in the way of unlocking its potential. The time to act is now.

With a deliberate policy to relocate and reintegrate current occupants, backed by compensation, affordable resettlement, and dignity-driven policies, the area can be transformed into a model urban development.

This is not just possible. It is necessary.

Global Models: What We Can Learn from China and South Korea

In China, cities like Shenzhen and Xiong’an emerged from rural or undeveloped zones through bold government action, relocation programs, and structured investment frameworks. In less than 40 years, Shenzhen transformed from a village into a tech megacity.

South Korea built Songdo International Business District from reclaimed land, with integrated smart infrastructure, international investment, and liveable design. The Korean government played a central role as land allocator, investor, and regulator.

These models share key principles:

• Government-led relocation with dignity and support.
• Clear master plans designed for the future.
• Strong investor incentives and PPP frameworks.
• Urban zones structured around innovation, education, and green living.

Oyo State can adopt and localize these principles to develop a city that respects its cultural roots while embracing global design.

The Role of the Oyo State Government

To realize this vision, the Oyo State Government must:

• Declare Ona Ara-Aiport Corridor a Special Urban Development Zone.
• Establish a New City Development Authority with autonomy, planning power, and investor-friendly policies.
• Implement a structured relocation plan, involving land swaps, housing schemes, and economic integration.
• Engage communities with respect and clarity, ensuring they are not left behind but moved forward.
• Offer tax holidays, land access, and co-investment opportunities for private developers.

Governor Seyi Makinde has already laid the groundwork through infrastructural reforms and an open governance style. This new city project could become his legacy.

The Vision: What Will the New City Look Like?

Imagine a city with:

• A Smart Tech District – housing tech hubs, startup accelerators, and data centers.
• A Green Residential Belt – sustainable housing, parks, and community spaces.
• An Education and Innovation Corridor – with universities, research centers, and skills academies.
• Healthcare and Hospitality Clusters – world-class hospitals, hotels, and wellness resorts.
• Integrated Transport Systems – rail, BRT, ride-hailing, and bicycle lanes.

Everything powered by smart infrastructure, renewable energy, and inclusive planning.

This is not fiction. It is an achievable future.

Investor Opportunities and Partnership Benefits

For investors and strategic partners, this city represents a generational opportunity to co-create one of Nigeria’s most valuable urban assets. The benefits include:

• Early Entry Advantage: Land prices are low, government support is high, and demand is growing.
• Diverse Investment Options: Real estate, tech infrastructure, transport, retail, education, healthcare, and green energy.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Long-term leases, co-financing with the state, and incentives for capital importation.
• Political Support: The administration is open to bold collaborations and structured transparency.
• Legacy Impact: Shape the identity and function of a city that will define the next 50 years.

We are inviting venture capitalists, private equity firms, local developers, diaspora investors, and global infrastructure groups to join this vision.

Promotional Pitch: Let’s Build the Future, Today

This is not iust about buildinas. This is about vision.

value, and velocity. A new city in Ona Ara will:

Decongest Ibadan, lifting pressure from old neighborhoods.

Create jobs, through construction, services, and startups.

Increase internally generated revenue, expanding
Oyo’s economic base.

Attract international attention, showing Africa how to urbanize smartly.

At JomarJimoh Universal Company Ltd, we are ready to lead, partner, and build. Our expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable design positions us to deliver this dream.

We believe this vision is achievable. But it must begin with bold steps: a public declaration, a master plan, and a collaborative spirit.

Conclusion: The Road Begins in Ona Ara

The world is watching Nigeria. Our population is growing, our youth are restless, and our cities must evolve. The new city of Ibadan is not a luxury; it is an inevitability.

The airport-Ona Ara corridor offers the land, location, and leverage needed to build this future. With courage, clarity, and collaboration, we can create a city that defines a new era for Oyo State and Nigeria.