In political circles across Oyo State, the buzz is real: my esteemed brother and friend, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adebayo Mutalabi Ojo SAN, has declared Chief Adebayo Adelabu as the next Governor of Oyo State in 2027. His recent piece in Oyo Insight—titled “I will vote for Oke-Ogun candidate, but Adelabu is next gov”—is both thought-provoking and timely.
As a fellow stakeholder in Oyo’s development, I fully align with his declaration. It reflects not just political foresight but a commitment to progress. I am equally convinced that Chief Adebayo Adelabu has the experience, vision, and track record needed to take Oyo State to the next level in 2027—building on the solid foundation already laid by Governor Seyi Makinde.
A Legacy of Impact at the Central Bank of Nigeria
Chief Adelabu’s track record dates back to his tenure as Deputy Governor at the Central Bank of Nigeria. It was under his leadership that the state-of-the-art Computer Centre at Tech U University—now Abiola Ajimobi University—was established, equipping thousands of students in Ibadan with vital digital skills and access to cutting-edge resources. He also pioneered community banking programmes in peri-urban Ibadan, empowering small businesses and fostering grassroots entrepreneurship.
Praise for Governor Seyi Makinde
I also wish to commend Governor Seyi Makinde for his visionary leadership in bringing the Ladoke Akintola International Airport upgrade to fruition—a transformative project that laid the groundwork for Ibadan’s emergence as a modern transport hub. His commitment to infrastructure development has set a high bar that must be taken forward and expanded. If we are to build on Governor Seyi Makinde’s airport upgrade, we need talent that thinks big and acts locally.
A Vision for Connectivity and Growth
Ladoke Akintola International Airport’s recent upgrade is commendable—but economic vibrancy demands more than runways. Ibadan and Oyo State must integrate a modern rail network. From Heathrow Express in London to Tokyo’s Narita Line, international hubs flourish when airports connect seamlessly to cities and regions.
My proposal under Chief Adelabu’s governorship would:
Launch a rail line from the airport through Egbeda to key economic nodes.
Connect Nigerian Breweries Egbeda—once Africa’s largest brewery—to urban markets.
Extend the rail line to the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Asejire, linking Egbeda’s industrial belt to wider distribution networks.
Link Bola Ige International Market and the Iwo Road Motor Park with reliable, affordable transit.
Extend northward to OkeOgun, unlocking agroprocessing, tourism, and rural enterprise.
This network will decongest roads, reduce logistics costs, and provide affordable mobility to all residents, including those whose lives are at the heart of my research.
Why Adelabu? A Matter of Vision
As Chief Adelabu extensively mentioned during his 2019 gubernatorial campaign, “A modern rail network linking our airport to key economic centres is not a luxury but a necessity if we are to transform Oyo State.” This underscores his unique foresight—if my memory serves me right, he was the only candidate to raise this during the campaign.
For this reason, I stand on his mandate—borrowing the phrase, “On Tinubu’s mandate we shall stand.”
From Egbeda to “Little London”
Egbeda has the potential to become “Little London”—a hub of commerce, culture, and innovation. By knitting together airport, rail, market, and farmland, we will not only reclaim Oyo State’s storied heritage but also chart a course for continuous improvement that benefits urban and rural communities alike.
A Call to Action
The success of this rail network hinges on strong partnerships between government and industry. Key players—such as Nigerian Breweries Egbeda and the Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Asejire—stand to benefit from, and contribute as PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) stakeholders to this transformative project by easing product transportation, reducing logistics costs, and expanding market reach.
I urge state officials, corporate leaders, and community stakeholders to collaborate on financing, planning, and executing this rail linkage, ensuring it delivers maximum economic and social impact.
Prince Eric Folarin Okunola of Egejobi Royal Family – A Stakeholder in Egbeda · Son of the Soil · Professional Doctoral Researcher in Health & WellBeing
He can be reached via ricok@hotmail.co.uk
