Oyo Govt Challenges FG Over Land Ownership

The Oyo State Government has refuted the Federal Government’s recent claims over ownership of certain prime properties in the state, insisting that the affected lands have long been revoked and reallocated by the state authorities.

At a press briefing on Thursday, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funlayo, emphasized that under the Land Use Act of 1978, all land in Oyo State is vested in the governor, who reserves the right to reclaim and reassign any undeveloped or abandoned property within the state.

He stated that the Federal Government must either make productive use of its lands in Oyo State or risk forfeiture, adding that the properties being referenced had already been legally revoked and no longer belong to the federal authorities.

Akin-Funlayo’s remarks followed a recent public notice by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development — published in the October 22 edition of the Nigerian Tribune — warning individuals and organizations against encroaching on certain federally owned lands in Oyo.

The notice, titled “Caveat Emptor,” and signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib M. L. Belgore, listed properties such as the African Regional Centre for Engineering Manufacturing (ARCEDEM), Ibadan; the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Idi-Ayunre; the Federal Housing Scheme, Saki; the National Strategic Grain Reserve and Silos, Ibadan; Radio Nigeria’s land within BCOS premises; and the National Horticultural Research Institute, Ibadan.

Describing the publication as misleading, Akin-Funlayo clarified that the state’s actions were “lawful, transparent, and guided by the Land Use Act,” stressing that Oyo State acted within its constitutional authority to manage and reclaim idle lands.

“Our decision is not confrontational,” he said. “It is a necessary step to safeguard state assets, restore investor confidence, and ensure public lands serve the best interest of our people.”

He explained that most of the listed sites had been abandoned for decades, posing security risks and obstructing urban development.

“Federal agencies are, by law, tenants on state land. When such lands are neglected for years, it becomes our responsibility to repossess and reallocate them for the public good,” the commissioner stated.

Citing the ARCEDEM site along Iwo Road, Ibadan, Akin-Funlayo noted that the land — allocated in 1983 — had become a hideout for criminals until the state government revoked its Certificate of Occupancy in 2020 and reclaimed it.

“It is embarrassing that the federal ministry now seeks ownership of land that was legally revoked five years ago and is already being put to better use,” he added.

He also noted that lands originally allotted to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) had been misused, with parts converted for entertainment and hospitality purposes.

According to him, a related court case had already affirmed the state’s right to reclaim the properties, while their Certificates of Occupancy were duly revoked.

Akin-Funlayo further accused some federal agencies of violating Oyo State’s planning laws by erecting buildings without approval, stressing that “no federal status exempts any institution from compliance with state laws.”

He pointed to examples such as the Federal Secretariat complex and construction near the railway station, which, he said, raised safety concerns due to noncompliance with planning standards.

“The Oyo State Government will not tolerate lawlessness or allow any agency to act to the detriment of our people,” he declared.

The commissioner maintained that all revocations followed due process, with adequate notices and public announcements issued in line with the law.

“Every Certificate of Occupancy states that land not developed within a set period — usually two years — may be revoked. Many of these properties have remained abandoned since the 1980s,” he explained.

“Our actions are corrective and preventive, not punitive. We are reclaiming abandoned lands to promote safety, order, and sustainable development,” he said.

Akin-Funlayo concluded by reassuring investors that the government remains committed to supporting genuine developers and ensuring a secure, transparent environment for business in Oyo State.

 

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