Ogun State Governor Bans Monarchs from Land Agreements for Industry and Mining

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has issued a ban on traditional rulers from entering into any form of agreement regarding industry or mining activities within their domains.

This move aims to curb illegal mining and unauthorized land transactions that have adversely impacted the environment and endangered significant public assets in the state.

According to verifiable media outlets, Governor Abiodun had previously cautioned traditional rulers against allocating land to illegal miners and engaging in unapproved sales of public property, particularly plantations.

In a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the governor emphasized that land acquisitions for mining or industrial purposes must follow approved, standard, and transparent processes.

“Ogun State has vast tracts of land containing mineral resources attractive to investors.

The Ogun State Government is building a sustainable industrial economy which will significantly increase private investments, enhance job creation, and improve revenue generation, thus making land, its management, and use an area of key focus and interest,” the statement read.

Governor Abiodun highlighted the issue of miners and investors bypassing regulations by making irregular legal arrangements with traditional institutions. To address this, the governor declared:

“All forms of traditional institutions existing within the State are hereby, with immediate effect, barred from entering into any form of Memorandum of Understanding or agreement with any individual, companies, or organizations seeking land within any part of the entire State for purposes of mining or industry.

They are to refrain from issuing any form of consent letters for mining across the State.”

The governor warned that any monarch or organization found violating this order would face legal consequences.

“Any traditional institution or stakeholder in the institution who flouts this order shall be sanctioned in line with the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law and other relevant criminal statutes.

From the date of this order, any individual, company, or organization that enters into any Memorandum of Understanding or agreement with a traditional institution or stakeholders, to whom this order applies, on mining or industry, shall proceed in line with Section 61 of the Ogun State Criminal Law 2006 which prohibits interference with executive power,” the statement concluded.

Governor Abiodun’s directive is aimed at ensuring that land management and use in Ogun State align with the state’s goals of sustainable industrial development and environmental protection.