The Oyo State Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Williams Akin-Funmilayo, has attributed the state’s significant growth in internally generated revenue (IGR) to the innovative reforms introduced under Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s administration.
He described the digital transformation of land administration, including the use of the Oyo State Property Reference System (OYPRS), electronic plot allocation, and online property identification, as key milestones in the state’s success story.
Addressing the press on Thursday during the Omituntun 2.0 Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing in Ibadan, Akin-Funmilayo revealed that the Ministry’s strategic innovations have drastically improved land management processes and revenue performance.
According to him, about 15 new Government Reservation Areas (GRAs) have been developed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), alongside the introduction of electronic allocation letters and online plot selection through the Ministry’s portal — www.lands.oyostate.gov.ng.
“Innovation is central to our progress. With the deployment of OYPRS, we’ve simplified property identification, which aids tax collection and overall transparency in land dealings. Since 2019, we have issued 17,046 digital title documents, 4,570 in 2024 alone, the highest so far,” he said.
The Commissioner stated that the Ministry generated ₦4.8 billion in 2023 and surpassed that in 2024 with ₦6.1 billion. As of May 15, 2025, revenue generation already stands at ₦3.2 billion.
“From January to May 2024, we achieved ₦2.7 billion, and from January to May 2025, it increased to ₦3.2 billion, a ₦500 million leap. This wouldn’t have been possible without critical evaluations and corrective steps,” Akin-Funmilayo noted.
He also highlighted ongoing digitization efforts within the Deeds Registry, such as the archiving of property cards and files, as well as the adoption of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) digital surveying tools to enhance field accuracy and speed.
The Ministry listed several GRAs already under construction, including Senator Rashidi Ladoja GRA, Senator Abiola Ajimobi GRA, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala GRA, and others in Akobo, Ogbomoso, and Mokola Hilltop. The Engr. Lere Adigun GRA has been completed, while GRAs at Alalubosa, Aerodrome, and Agodi Gardens will soon be available for purchase.
Akin-Funmilayo acknowledged that infrastructure development has increased land costs in new GRAs, but assured that the government is working toward providing affordable options for middle- and low-income earners before the administration ends.
He emphasized the administration’s resolve to prevent building collapses through regulatory compliance and public awareness. “We will protect lives and properties by ensuring compliance with building standards. Developers must seek approval before commencing any construction,” he warned.
Looking ahead, the Commissioner said the Ministry would prioritize a comprehensive house numbering project across the state, along with full digitization and document archiving.
“House numbering is a key promise we made. We’re also working toward granting partial autonomy to the Physical Planning Department, which will become a separate unit for better efficiency. Administrative processes are already underway,” he added.
Present at the briefing were senior officials from the Ministry, as well as the Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary to Oyo state governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju.