OGUN–LAGOS BOUNDARY ROW: IFO CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR INTERVENTION OVER ‘WELCOME TO LAGOS’ SIGNPOST
Olalekan urges Lagos Government to caution Ojodu council boss, demands boundary verification through official records
IFO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA — The Chairman of Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, Hon. Kusimo Idris Olalekan, has called on the Lagos State Government to intervene in a brewing boundary disagreement involving the erection of a signpost bearing the inscription, “Welcome to Lagos State,” along the Yakoyo–Ojodu Road.
Olalekan expressed concern that the signpost, reportedly erected at a disputed location around Yakoyo in Isheri-Ojodu Ward, could create confusion over the territorial limits of Ogun and Lagos states, particularly among residents, motorists and other road users who regularly traverse the corridor.
The Ifo council chairman maintained that the location falls within the territorial jurisdiction of Ifo Local Government, insisting that the matter requires urgent attention to prevent further misunderstanding between the two neighbouring states.
He consequently urged the Lagos State Government to call the Chairman of Ojodu Local Government to order and ensure that actions capable of escalating the disagreement are avoided pending an authoritative determination of the disputed boundary.
Dispute centres on Yakoyo–Ojodu axis
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the long-standing question of territorial jurisdiction around the Yakoyo–Ojodu corridor, an area where communities and road networks straddle the adjoining parts of Ogun and Lagos states.
According to the Ifo Local Government position, the placement of the signpost at the disputed location appears to indicate that the area marks the beginning of Lagos State. The council, however, contends that the location lies within Ogun State's territorial limits.
The development has raised concerns about the implications of boundary signposts and other local government activities in areas where jurisdiction has not been conclusively established through the appropriate official processes.
Olalekan's intervention follows the construction of a road by the Ogun State Government under Governor Dapo Abiodun, a development that has further drawn attention to the question of territorial responsibility along the affected axis.
While road construction and other public infrastructure projects can improve connectivity and economic activity, disagreements over the location of administrative boundaries can create complications relating to governance, service delivery, taxation, planning and the exercise of local government authority.
Ifo seeks Lagos Government's intervention
The Ifo Local Government chairman urged the Lagos State Government to ensure that the actions of officials under its jurisdiction do not aggravate the dispute or undermine the cordial relationship between the two states.
He stressed that the matter should be approached with caution, fairness and a strong commitment to peaceful coexistence, particularly because residents of boundary communities often depend on public services and infrastructure provided by authorities on both sides.
The council expressed concern that the erection of signposts suggesting a definitive territorial boundary, without a publicly established determination of the disputed location, could create uncertainty among residents and road users.
It therefore called on the Lagos State Government to engage the relevant authorities and take appropriate steps to prevent further actions that might heighten tensions around the Yakoyo–Ojodu axis.
The council also urged the relevant local government authorities to avoid unilateral measures that could complicate efforts to resolve the disagreement.
Call for documentary evidence and official verification
At the centre of Ifo Local Government's demand is the need for an objective determination of the disputed boundary using authoritative government records.
The council called for the examination of relevant official documents, approved survey coordinates, boundary descriptions and other recognised records capable of establishing the precise territorial limits of the two states.
Such a process, it argued, would provide a credible basis for resolving competing claims and prevent the disagreement from degenerating into a prolonged administrative or political dispute.
A determination grounded in verifiable records would also help clarify the respective responsibilities of the state and local government authorities, while giving residents a clearer understanding of the jurisdiction under which their communities fall.
The council maintained that the matter should not be resolved solely through the erection of signposts or unilateral declarations by local officials, but through the appropriate institutional and administrative procedures.
Residents' interests at stake
Beyond the immediate disagreement over the signpost, the controversy highlights the importance of clearly defined administrative boundaries for communities situated along state borders.
Uncertainty over territorial jurisdiction can affect the delivery of public services, road maintenance, physical planning, revenue administration and the coordination of security operations.
For residents of Yakoyo, Ojodu and neighbouring communities, a transparent resolution would help reduce uncertainty about which authorities are responsible for particular locations and public facilities.
It could also prevent avoidable friction between local government officials and strengthen cooperation between Ogun and Lagos states on matters affecting communities along their shared boundary.
The Ifo council chairman therefore appealed to all parties to exercise restraint and avoid statements or actions that could inflame tensions while the relevant authorities work towards an acceptable resolution.
Olalekan reaffirms commitment to Ifo's territorial interests
Reaffirming his administration's commitment to protecting the interests of Ifo Local Government and its residents, Olalekan said the council would continue to pursue the matter through appropriate channels.
He maintained that defending the council's territorial interests should go hand in hand with respecting established procedures and maintaining peaceful relations with neighbouring authorities.
The chairman further urged the Lagos State Government to ensure that the conduct of local government officials does not undermine the longstanding relationship between the two states, whose residents share social, commercial and economic ties across their common border.
The council reiterated its call for restraint from all parties and insisted that the disputed location should be subjected to an authoritative clarification before any further action is taken that could intensify the disagreement.
A test of intergovernmental cooperation
The Yakoyo–Ojodu controversy underscores the need for sustained cooperation between Ogun and Lagos states in addressing boundary-related concerns.
Although Ifo Local Government has maintained that the disputed location falls within Ogun State, an independent determination based on recognised official records remains essential to establishing the precise boundary.
A coordinated approach involving the relevant state governments, local government authorities and competent surveying and boundary institutions could provide a lasting solution, reduce the risk of further disputes and protect the interests of affected communities.
For now, the Ifo council chairman's appeal places the responsibility on the relevant authorities to prioritise dialogue, documentary verification and institutional procedures over unilateral actions.
The ultimate objective, the council maintains, should be a clear and mutually respected boundary that safeguards residents' interests while preserving peaceful relations between Ogun and Lagos states.
AMEBO NEWSPAPER NG
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