The recent acquisition of 20,065 hectares of land in Ilorin East and Ilorin South Local Government Areas by the Kwara State Government marks a significant step towards the establishment of the New Ilorin SmartCity Estate.
A stakeholder’s meeting between the government and the landowners paved the way for this acquisition, following which the state earmarked the project as a key component in the 2024 Budget Estimate.
The vision for the Ilorin Smart City Project, as outlined by Governor Mallam AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq during the budget presentation to the State House of Assembly in December 2023, is to create a sustainable urban area inspired by global green cities like Washington DC.
The land acquisition, deemed to be in the public interest, was further validated as necessary for both the people of the state and the nation at large in a statement released by the state Geographic Information Service.
Abdulkareem Sulyman, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service, reiterated the importance of the project during a visit to Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari, emphasizing the developmental benefits it would bring to the region.
The SmartCity is envisioned to encompass various essential facilities such as schools, hospitals, markets, and public services, including the development of housing estates and an industrial park, promising employment opportunities for the youth once operational.
Compensation for the landowners, spanning 23 villages in the Ilorin Emirate council area, is underway as they are instructed to submit their claims for review and collation.
Sulyman sought the support of the traditional ruler in raising awareness about the project and garnering community backing for the state’s developmental agenda.
In response, Emir Zulu-Gambari expressed his full backing for the initiative, promising to engage with local leaders to ensure their cooperation in realizing the project’s objectives and contributing to the state’s advancement under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership.