The African Development Bank (AfDB) has commended the Ekiti State Government for transparently and timely disbursing N1.45 billion in compensation to 195 landowners affected by land acquisition for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji approved the compensation in June following a comprehensive evaluation exercise carried out in line with current market rates and 2022 enumeration of land, economic trees and assets across the project site.
Spreading approximately 208 hectares between Ago Araromi and Ijan Ekiti, the Ekiti Knowledge Zone is a modern smart city designed to foster innovation, ICT training, research and knowledge-based enterprise development.
AfDB’s award came after a validation visit by a team of officials led by World Bank social security expert Dr. Mohamed Hamadina and environmental conservation expert Uzoma Okoroafor.
The team visited affected communities and ensured that all people affected by the project were duly compensated, in line with the African Development Bank’s Involuntary Resettlement Policy, which guarantees equity, inclusion and full payment to all affected individuals.
Dr. Hamadina spoke during the visit and confirmed that all affected people received payments based on the valuation of their land and economic assets captured during the 2022 assessment.
He expressed the Bank’s satisfaction with the thoroughness, fairness and transparency of the process, noting that the state government had not only complied with AFDB’s safeguard standards but also demonstrated genuine consideration for the needs and welfare of the affected communities.
Hamadina added that the phased approach adopted by the government, from enumeration to evaluation to final payment, reflects a model of accountability and inclusiveness that other states can emulate when implementing development-oriented projects.
“AfDB is a development-focused institution. Individuals who have lost property or livelihoods as a result of AfDB-supported projects must be adequately compensated in a manner that uplifts and does not disadvantage them.
“What we have seen here in Ekiti demonstrates a commitment to transparency, equity and community well-being. AFDB’s priority is to ensure that all interventions improve lives and strengthen trust in governance.”
Mr. Okoroafor said the Knowledge Zone project was designed to empower the people and accelerate the economic transformation of the state, adding that the exercise strengthened the Bank’s confidence in Ekiti’s approach to inclusive development.
“This project is about people. It is designed to serve as a model for innovation and sustainable growth. What we have witnessed in the compensation process demonstrates accountability and equity,” he added.
Dr. Akinyemi Akinyuguha, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Green Economy, Ecological Issues and Climate Change, said the verification exercise was an important step to ensure transparency and accountability.
“This process confirms my administration’s commitment to equity, inclusiveness and due process. The Ekiti Knowledge Zone is currently in the infrastructure development stage and all affected people are being transported,” Akinyuga said.
He thanked the AfDB for its diligence, thanked the host communities for their cooperation, and assured that the state would continue to maintain open engagement with all stakeholders.
Ago Araromi Community Chairman, Mr. Ojo Bankole, commended the AfDB and the Ekiti State Government for their transparency and accountability and pledged the community’s continued support for the project.
Another beneficiary, Aduroju Ayodeji, described the process as “open, fair and professionally handled”, noting that it had strengthened his confidence in the state government’s handling of major development projects.
