The Oyo State Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Mr. Akin-Funmilayo, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to preventing building collapses through stricter enforcement of construction regulations.
Speaking at the Omituntun 2.0 Inter-Ministerial Briefing in Ibadan on Thursday, Akin-Funmilayo urged developers to obtain proper approvals and engage with the Ministry before commencing any construction projects to avoid preventable tragedies.
“We are taking decisive steps to protect lives and property by ensuring strict compliance with building regulations. The goal is clear: zero tolerance for building collapse in Oyo State,” he stated.
The commissioner, joined by senior ministry officials, highlighted several measures aimed at enhancing land and housing administration. These include the establishment of 15 new Government Reserved Areas (GRAs) through public-private partnerships, and the introduction of digital systems such as electronic allocation letters, an online plot selection portal, and an amnesty programme for building permits.
He also announced the upcoming launch of an online building permit platform.
Akin-Funmilayo noted that the Ministry would prioritize house numbering in the months ahead, as well as the full digitisation and archiving of land-related documents.
Plans are also underway to grant the Physical Planning Department partial autonomy to function as an independent unit within the Ministry.
He attributed the state’s growing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to Governor Seyi Makinde’s visionary leadership, citing the digitisation of land allocation, streamlined title documentation, and creation of new GRAs as major contributors.
According to the commissioner, the Ministry has issued 17,046 digital title documents since 2019, with nearly 8,000 processed in the past two years. Of this figure, 4,570 were issued in 2024 alone—the highest since the Makinde administration began.
By May 2025, 1,008 documents had already been issued, with a target of 5,000 by year-end.
He revealed that the Ministry generated N4.8 billion in 2023 and N6.1 billion in 2024. As of May 15, 2025, it had already recorded N3.2 billion in revenue, reflecting a N500 million increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The commissioner listed GRAs under development including Engr. Lere Adigun GRA (completed), Senator Rashidi Ladoja GRA, Senator Abiola Ajimobi GRA, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala GRA, Chief Michael Koleosho GRA, and several others.
He added that GRAs at Alalubosa, Aerodrome, and Agodi Gardens would soon be available for sale.
Additional achievements include the digitisation of property cards and registry files, acquisition of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) digital surveying tools, enactment of a new Land Use Charge Law, recruitment of 77 new staff, and payment of nearly N936 million in compensation for properties affected by major infrastructure projects.
These projects include the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road (N260m), Ajia Interchange (N139m), Ogbomoso/Iseyin Road weighbridge (N23.8m), and Air Force Base in Ajia (N513m).
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Responding to concerns about rising land prices in GRAs, Akin-Funmilayo assured that the Makinde administration remains committed to delivering affordable housing for middle- and low-income earners before the end of its term.
