Oyo Mulls People-centered, Tech-driven Smart Cities

The Oyo State government through the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA), has pledged to build people-centred smart cities driven by innovation, technology, and inclusiveness.

The executive adviser to governor Seyi Makinde on the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA), Mrs. Mofoluke Adebiyi, stated this at the 2025 World Cities Day commemoration held at the Local Government Staff Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, themed “People-Centred Smart Cities,” which focuses on creating urban spaces that prioritize human well-being alongside technological progress, Adebiyi described the theme as one that aligns closely with Governor Seyi Makinde’s urban development agenda.

According to her, it emphasises “technology and, more importantly, people-focused innovation and inclusive spatial planning.”

She explained that the Ibadan Circular Road Corridor and the Ilu-Tuntun Smart City project stood as a testament to the governor’s commitment to modern and inclusive urban development.

“Across the world, cities are undergoing profound transformation,” she said. “Digital technology now shapes how people live, move, and interact, influencing everything from mobility to waste management, building design, and governance.

“Yet, at the core of every successful city lies the human element, the community, the sense of belonging, and equitable access to opportunities.”

The governor’s aide noted that smart cities must balance innovation with inclusion, stressing that the state government’s initiatives aimed to address pressing challenges such as inadequate housing and urban congestion.

According to her, the creation of the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA) was a deliberate step toward coordinated and sustainable urban growth.

“The Authority’s mandate is to lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of new model cities, integrated districts, and infrastructure-led development corridors that can reshape the urban landscape of our dear state,” she explained.