Ogun Lagos Boundary Dispute: Ifo LG Challenges Yakoyo-Ojodu Road Signpost

• The Chairman of Ifo Local Government Area in Ogun State, Idris Kusimo, has raised concerns over a "Welcome to Lagos State" signpost on the disputed Yakoyo–Ojodu Road.
• Ifo Local Government claims the signpost's location, specifically Yakoyo in Isheri-Ojodu Ward, falls within Ogun State's jurisdiction.
• An official from Ojodu LCDA in Lagos State, Ayodele Olalere, clarified that the Lagos State Government, not the LCDA chairman, installed the signposts as part of a wider boundary clarification project.
• Ifo Local Government has accused Lagos State of repeatedly attempting to control areas claimed by Ogun and calls for objective boundary determination using official records.
• Both state governments are urged to handle the matter cautiously to maintain peaceful relations between communities along their shared boundary.

To mitigate future misunderstandings and protect the interests of residents living along the shared border, Ifo Local Government has advocated for an objective determination of the boundary.

Idris Kusimo, the Chairman of Ifo Local Government Area in Ogun State, has publicly called upon the Lagos State Government to address concerns regarding a newly erected signpost. This signpost, bearing the inscription “Welcome to Lagos State,” has been placed along the contested Yakoyo–Ojodu Road, a location central to an ongoing inter-state boundary dispute between Ogun and Lagos. Kusimo's statement, released to journalists on a Tuesday preceding October 27, 2026, highlighted that the signpost could sow confusion regarding the precise boundary, particularly in the Yakoyo area within Isheri-Ojodu Ward, which Ifo Local Government firmly asserts falls under Ogun State's jurisdiction.

The Ifo council maintains that the specific location of the signpost is unequivocally within its administrative control. It has urged Lagos State to ensure that actions undertaken by its officials do not exacerbate the existing disagreement over the Lagos Ogun state border conflict. This recent development follows the completion of a road construction project in the area, initiated by the administration of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

In response to these allegations, Ayodele Olalere, the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area in Lagos State, offered a clarification. In a WhatsApp message sent on a Saturday, Olalere refuted the claim that Ojodu LCDA Chairman Segun Odunmbaku was responsible for erecting the signposts. Olalere clarified that the installations were carried out by the Lagos State Government itself, suggesting that the state government is the appropriate entity to address Kusimo's concerns. He also implied that the Ifo Local Government Chairman should have conducted more thorough research before reaching his conclusions.

The current dispute over the Yakoyo-Ojodu Road and the placement of the “Welcome to Lagos State” signpost is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of long-standing inter-state boundary demarcation Nigeria challenges. Ifo Local Government has consistently voiced concerns over the years regarding this boundary issue, accusing Lagos State of repeated attempts to assert control over territories that Ogun State claims as its own. The council's assertion that Yakoyo in Isheri-Ojodu Ward jurisdiction lies within Ogun State underscores the persistent nature of these territorial disagreements.

This particular incident gains further significance given the recent infrastructure development in the area. The construction of a new road by Governor Dapo Abiodun's administration in Ogun State precedes the installation of the controversial signpost, suggesting a potential clash of developmental initiatives with jurisdictional claims. The Ifo Local Government boundary claim is rooted in the belief that the placement of such markers by Lagos State officials without proper resolution of the underlying boundary issues constitutes an encroachment.

Media reports from a Monday preceding the news publication indicated that the Lagos State Government had embarked on a broader initiative to install boundary signposts across the state. This project was reportedly designed to clarify borders between various neighboring communities and states, with the explicit aim of resolving uncertainty over boundary lines and preventing disputes arising from alleged encroachment. Such signposts were reportedly installed in several other locations, including Eredo-Epe near Mojoda, Itokin-Ijebu Ode Road, Ikorodu-Shagamu Road, Ojodu-Alagbole Road, Owode-Apa Road, and the Seme Border, highlighting a statewide effort by Lagos to delineate its territories.

To mitigate future misunderstandings and protect the interests of residents living along the shared border, Ifo Local Government has advocated for an objective determination of the boundary. This process, according to the council, should rely on official records, approved survey coordinates, and other pertinent government documentation. Such a comprehensive approach to inter-state boundary demarcation Nigeria is deemed essential to prevent further disputes and ensure mutual respect for the territorial jurisdictions of both states.

The council has explicitly called for the Lagos State Government to cease any further actions that could be interpreted as encroachment on the disputed territory. Furthermore, Ifo Local Government has urged both state governments to approach this sensitive matter with caution. The objective is to maintain peaceful relations and foster harmony among the communities situated along their shared boundary, preventing the Ojodu LCDA signpost dispute from escalating into broader conflict. The resolution of such boundary issues is critical for administrative clarity, effective governance, and the well-being of the affected populations in both Ogun and Lagos states.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of ongoing inter-state boundary disputes, particularly in regions like Yakoyo-Ojodu, as they can create jurisdictional uncertainty for clients' land ownership, tax obligations, and regulatory compliance. It is crucial to advise clients to verify precise property boundaries and the applicable state jurisdiction to mitigate potential legal and operational risks.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH newspaper