By Adeola Badru

IBADAN — Stakeholders in Ibadan have called for urgent implementation of a comprehensive development blueprint tagged “Ibadan 4.0,” with a strong focus on job creation and infrastructure renewal to drive sustainable growth.

The call was the highlight of discussions at the 2026 Ibadan Conference organised by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) in honour of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja.

The conference, held at Bode Amao Hall, brought together participants from traditional institutions, academia, and the professional class under the theme: “Ibadan: Remembering Our Past, Understanding Our Present, Designing Our Future.”

Chairman of the occasion, Kazeem Adeduntan, described the “Ibadan 4.0” concept as a critical shift from rhetoric to coordinated action, warning that the city risks stagnation without deliberate planning.

“Ibadan is not just a city; it is a civilisation built on structure, discipline, and communal responsibility. But great cities do not drift into greatness. They are built deliberately, renewed deliberately, and coordinated deliberately,” he said.

Adeduntan stressed the need for collective ownership of the city’s development vision, noting that fragmented efforts and uncoordinated ambitions have continued to hinder progress.

Delivering the keynote address, Abiodun Aibinu said Ibadan is at a critical turning point and must transition to a knowledge-driven economy anchored on innovation, skills, and institutional collaboration.

According to him, the “Ibadan 4.0” framework represents a new development phase that integrates traditional institutions, community initiatives, and modern governance.

“Ibadan’s future will not be built by government alone. It requires cooperation among institutions, communities, and a global network of its people,” Aibinu said.

He identified unemployment, poor infrastructure, and declining social services as major threats, warning that failure to address them could worsen economic and social inequalities.

“The immediate priorities are employment and livelihood stabilisation, infrastructure improvement, and skills development. Without these, the vision of Ibadan 4.0 will remain theoretical,” he added.

Aibinu also advocated urban renewal, revitalisation of educational institutions, and a transition from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy driven by human capital and innovation.

He further called for stronger grassroots governance, recommending the integration of traditional structures such as the Mogaji system into formal governance to improve coordination and accountability.

Earlier, Chairman of the Ibadan Cultural Festival Planning Committee, Moshood Akere, said the conference was introduced into the annual festival to deepen policy dialogue and encourage forward-looking discussions.

“Since 1990, this festival has been a platform for cultural expression and reunion. This conference ensures we also engage in honest conversations about Ibadan’s future,” he said.

He added that the event also honoured Oba Ladoja, whose leadership he described as a bridge between the city’s historical legacy and its modern aspirations.

Dignitaries at the event included the President-General of the CCII, Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole, alongside other prominent indigenes and stakeholders.

Awards were presented to notable personalities, including Florence Ajimobi, Kazeem Adeduntan, Abiodun Aibinu, Otunba Oluseye Opatoki and Otunba Saheed Makinde, in recognition of their contributions to the development of Ibadanland.