Urban Development In Osun State: A Critical Review Of Budgetary Allocations and Impact

• By Samson OLANREWAJU PhD

Background

Urban development is crucial to the socio-economic progress of any society. It is pivotal for improving infrastructure, boosting economic activities, enhancing living standards, and creating a sustainable future for the people. In Osun State, nearly all major settlements are of urban status – ranging from towns to cities. Hence, Osun is one of the few states in Nigeria with a high incidence of constituent urban areas – such as towns and cities. Consequently, a significant proportion of the population of the state resides in urban areas.

The relatively stable security and economy of Osun state has informed its increasing urbanisation, informing an associated demand for better housing, transportation, water supply, sanitation, and healthcare services. In response to these urban developmental needs, several administrations in the state have put forward different strategies to meet urban needs while urban developmental projects have also taken a large share of the state’s annual budget. This review will focus exclusively on the urban developmental projects in Osun within the last one year, considering that the state is preparing for another fiscal year, and that urban development is critical to the achievement of the state’s developmental agenda.

The Issues

In 2023 fiscal year alone, not less than 34.2% of the total budget (amounting to 46.5 billion naira) was earmarked for different urban development projects in the state. By 2024 fiscal year, this increased to 34.7% (amounting to 51 billion of the total 150 billion). Obviously, this is an improvement, however it presents some critical reflections. Inflation in the year 2023 closed at 21.34% while the Nigerian Economic Summit Group inflation reported that the year 2024 inflation currently hovers around 34%, implying that the actual value accrued to urban developmental projects is eroded by the impacts of inflation, affecting developmental targets. Also, the relative increase in urban population in the state within the period requires that urban development focus should equally increase substantially.

A sector by sector analysis of the 2024 budgetary allocation reveals that 28 billion naira (representing approximately 18.7%) was allocated to road and infrastructure development, 12 billion naira to housing and urban renewal (8% of the total budget), 5 Billion naira (about 3.3%) to environmental and waste management, and 4 billion naira to public utilities and infrastructure support. These substantial allocations to urban development signal the commitment of the current administration to address the emerging societal challenges through comprehensive urban planning and infrastructure development projects. However, considering the high rate of urbanisation of different urban areas of the state, signalled by organic growth and evident urbanisation nuances, there is a need to increase budgetary allocation to urban developmental projects. The relatively low allocation of 8% to housing is not enough to meet the housing demand in the state. The state housing deficit aligns with national trends of urbanisation, population growth, and affordability challenges. And with a population of about 5.5 million and an average household size of 4 to 5 persons, the state requires roughly 1.1 to 1.4 million housing units. Achieving this requires significant investment in affordable housing and infrastructure development.

Similarly, the allocation of 5 billion to waste management in the year 2023 is extremely meagre considering the wide scope of the sector. Several studies have reported the poor state of waste management and sanitation in the state which, of course, have accumulated since previous regimes. This is particularly worse in the core areas, slums, and rural areas, impacting the health of children and women – who are considered to be more vulnerable. There is, therefore, a need to address this by investing heavily on programmes such as facilities for community based waste collection. Also, the budget should be expanded to accommodate the establishment of new landfills – at least, there should be a landfill in each of the local government areas – to reduce waste transportation.

Osun boasts of traditional markets which are critical to the survival of its urban areas, and viability of its rural economy. Trading takes place daily in some of these markets which makes them critical to everyday life. However, many of these markets are unstructured, lacking the necessary facilities to operate efficiently. Some of these markets are located along the road network, without perimeter fencing or clear cut boundaries. This causes trading activities to overflow into the road on market days, blocking free flow of transportation and causing accidents. There is a need to expand the budget and make policies to aid the provision of make-shift shops, water, toilets and other sanitary facilities. This will boost their productivity and enhance their effectiveness.

Within the fiscal year, the transportation sector has drawn keen attention from the administration, and tremendous strides have been made in this sector – particularly in roads development. In Osogbo, the state capital, key roads such as Iwo Road, Ring road, and Oke-Baale road have been upgraded. Also, the resurfacing of key township roads in the state has been done. This includes areas like Ogo-Oluwa and Alekuwodo. Similar projects are replicated in Ilesa  (e.g Ilesa-Osogbo Road and Ilesa -Ifewara road), Ede (the Ede-Osogbo Road), Iwo, Ikirun, Ikire etc. At least all the major towns have seen improvements in their roads within the fiscal year. These roads aid economic development, improve agricultural trade, and regional connectivity. However, there is a need to focus on other sectors of transportation to complement this development. For instance, waterways transportation can be integrated into the budget to aid transportation between riverine communities.

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Several urban renewal projects such as beautification projects of open spaces, repairing of streets lights and other soft landscapes aimed at improving the aesthetic appeal of public spaces have been done in the last one year. This includes the renovation of parks, gardens, and recreational areas within Osogbo. However, there is a need for the replication of these projects across all towns in the states. Intentional creation of open space will aid recreation, foster community integration, and promote social harmony. It will also contribute to enhancing the overall urban environment. The redevelopment of public markets is central to the state’s local economy. Upgrades of other markets, just like that of Osogbo Central Market, will improve trading conditions, provide better storage facilities for goods, and offer cleaner, more organised spaces for vendors and customers alike.

The recently released state of state by Budgit revealed that there is more to be done by the state to improve health infrastructure. This can be achieved by investing in the development of health infrastructure, particularly at grassroot levels. Consequent upon growing population, there is a need to improve public health and social amenities in all the urban and rural areas of the state, promoting social equity and justice. Public health facilities should be upgraded and well distributed to improve healthcare access and delivery. Community health centres and recreational facilities should be created to aid social engagement, skill development, and wellness programs. Recreational facilities are spaces for community-driven activities that strengthen social cohesion in urban neighbourhoods.

Generally, Osun State’s current focus on urban development is commendable, yet the need for a more holistic approach cannot be overstated. By addressing infrastructure, housing, and waste management challenges through increased funding, community engagement, and evidence-based planning, the state can create a sustainable urban future. A synergized approach that includes all stakeholders—government, community members, and research bodies—will ensure that Osun State’s cities and towns are not only functional and efficient but also vibrant and inclusive, serving as a model for urban development across Nigeria.

Way forward

Community-led governance: This is essential for sustainable urban development. Regular consultation with local stakeholders, including market women, community leaders, and youth representatives, should inform project identification and prioritisation. Local insights are invaluable for crafting development initiatives that are relevant and responsive to specific urban needs. Osun State would also benefit from a comprehensive infrastructure development plan that aligns with its urban growth trends. This plan should include a phased roadmap for urban upgrades, transportation networks, housing solutions, waste management, and public amenities, ensuring resource allocation matches each sector’s demand.

Infrastructure development plan: Osun State would benefit from a comprehensive infrastructure development plan that aligns with its urban growth trends. This plan should include a phased roadmap for urban upgrades, transportation networks, housing solutions, waste management, and public amenities, ensuring resource allocation matches each sector’s demand.

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Physical planning summit: An annual summit involving researchers, policymakers, community leaders, and traditional rulers would foster a collaborative approach to urban planning. This summit could facilitate the exchange of ideas, co-create solutions, and address specific urban challenges, such as housing deficits and infrastructure gaps, setting the stage for long-term planning and sustainable development.

Synergy with research Institutions: There is a need for town and gown engagement to identify, analyse and proffer recommendations towards the state urban development future. Relevant agencies should collaborate and finance research and tertiary institutions in the state to  chart urban developmental agenda for the state.

Increased Investment in Social Infrastructure: Allocations for public health facilities, schools, and recreational spaces should be increased. These spaces foster social interaction, skill development, and overall well-being, creating a more resilient and harmonious society. In particular, developing accessible community centres and green spaces in both urban and rural areas would support social equity and public health.

Dr. Samson Olanrewaju is a lecturer and researcher at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria. He is the Team Lead for the Cities and Global Development Research Cluster at the University. He can be reached on Samson.olanrewaju@uniosun.edu.ng

The opinions expressed in this publication are solely those of the author. It does not represent the editorial position or opinion of OSUN DEFENDER.