Balancing Infrastructural Development and Social Welfare: An Islamic Perspective on the Ibadan Circular Road Project Controversy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/umran2025.12n3.788Keywords:
Project, Ibadan, Circular, IslamicAbstract
This paper addresses the controversy on the Ibadan Circular Road (ICR) project in Oyo State, Nigeria, particularly its impact on residents displaced in six local government areas: Ido, Akinyele, Egbeda, Ona-Ara, Lagelu, and Oluyole. While the project aims at urban renewal and benefits for residents and commuters, many argue that the government's approach has imposed hardship on those displaced, leading to allegations of unfair practices. The study examines the issue through the lens of Islamic governance and urban development systems, suggesting that contemporary leaders can learn to balance infrastructure development with social justice. Using qualitative case study methodology, including government documents and surveys of 60 out of the displaced residents, the findings indicate that at least 500 individuals have become homeless due to government-initiated demolition. The paper recommends that the state government should have adopted Caliph Umar’s principles to ensure a balance between development and social welfare, setting a positive precedent for future projects.
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