Stakeholders across Ijesaland have until November 15 to submit proposals for sustainable economic growth, infrastructure development and investment opportunities
The Ijesa Development Council (IDC), through its Committee on Research, Infrastructure and Economic Development (RIED), has called on individuals, institutions, corporate organisations and community groups to submit memoranda, research findings and development proposals to support the formulation of the Ijesaland Economic Development Plan (IEDP).
The call, contained in a notice dated October 16, 2026, seeks to harness empirical data, local knowledge and stakeholder contributions towards developing a comprehensive economic blueprint for sustainable growth and socio-economic transformation across the six Local Government Areas of Ijesaland.
The proposed plan is intended to position Ijesaland as a preferred emerging economic centre in Western Nigeria through strategic infrastructure development, improved investment opportunities and the effective utilisation of the area's economic potential.
According to the committee, submissions are expected to provide evidence-based assessments of existing development challenges, identify untapped opportunities and recommend practical interventions to accelerate economic growth across the region.
The invitation is open to traditional institutions and royal councils, IDC members, Ijesa clubs and associations, government agencies, academic and healthcare institutions, corporate organisations, industrial operators, small and medium-scale enterprises, artisan and market associations, old students' associations, community development associations and non-Ijesa residents' groups.
Other eligible contributors include student associations, youth and women groups, political parties, religious organisations and Ijesa diaspora associations.
Five Priority Areas Identified
The RIED Committee identified five broad thematic areas to guide submissions for the development plan.
The first, socio-economic and infrastructure growth, covers transport networks, renewable energy, clean water supply and digital infrastructure across the six Local Government Areas.
The second focuses on agricultural value-chain expansion, with particular emphasis on agro-processing, modern storage and silo facilities, and improved market access for agricultural products from the agrarian communities of Ijesa North and Ijesa South.
The third thematic area, commercial enterprise, corporate integration and industrialisation, seeks proposals to improve the business environment and attract investment into solid minerals, manufacturing, retail trade, entrepreneurship and other commercial activities.
Under education, skills development and institutional growth, the committee welcomes proposals on vocational and technical education, youth productivity, housing, urban development, environmental sustainability, primary healthcare and improvements in secondary and tertiary education, including the mobilisation of alumni networks.
The fifth area, cultural preservation and eco-tourism development, focuses on developing sustainable economic opportunities from Ijesaland's cultural heritage, historical landmarks and creative industries while respecting the traditional institutions under the protective custody of the Owa Obokun Adimula and regional traditional councils.
Submission Requirements and Guidelines
The committee has requested that submissions take the form of empirical studies, data indices, policy briefs, feasibility frameworks, community development blueprints or formal memoranda.
For submissions prepared in line with the technical guidelines, contributors are expected to provide a cover page containing the name of the individual or organisation, the principal Local Government Area of focus, telephone numbers and active email addresses.
Each submission should also include a one-page executive summary outlining the major findings and policy proposals, a problem statement identifying specific developmental challenges, and strategic recommendations supported by relevant data and measurable outcomes.
Soft-copy submissions must be prepared in PDF or Microsoft Word (.docx) format, using a legible standard font and double spacing. Documents must not exceed 15 pages in total.
However, the committee has made provision for the submission of existing research materials, historical documents, previously prepared project briefs and relevant policy papers that may not conform to the prescribed format.
Such materials will be reviewed by the relevant Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to ensure that useful historical insights, local data and development proposals are incorporated into the broader planning process.
Accountability and Public Reporting
To promote transparency and ensure that contributions inform the final development framework, the committee disclosed that every memorandum received will be recorded in the official IEDP Memoranda and Submission Register.
Verified recommendations, relevant data and proposed development models will contribute to the preparation of the Ijesaland Development Baseline and Diagnostic Report and the Desk Review Report.
The findings are also expected to feature prominently at the forthcoming Ijesa Economic Development Summit, providing a platform for stakeholders to examine the region's development needs and proposed solutions.
Submission Deadline and Contact Details
All memoranda and research submissions are expected to reach the committee on or before November 15, 2026.
Digital submissions should be sent to [email protected], while physical copies may be delivered to the Iwude Ijesa Secretariat, Ilesa, Osun State.
For enquiries and coordination, stakeholders may contact the following committee officers through WhatsApp:
Professor Duro Oni — 08169821096, Chairman, Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships and Consultation Sub-Committee.
Mr Seye Oyeleye — 08098004016 or 08036277261, Chairman, Research, Sector Studies, Infrastructure and Economic Assessment Sub-Committees.
Dr Olu Olujide — 07085088627 (WhatsApp only), Secretary, RIED Committee and Assistant General Secretary, IDC.
The notice was signed by Prince Bimbo Olashore, Chairman of the IDC Committee on Research, Infrastructure and Economic Development, on October 16, 2026.
The initiative represents a call for collective participation in shaping Ijesaland's economic future, with the committee seeking contributions that will help establish a credible development baseline and translate the region's resources, institutions and human capital into sustainable economic opportunities for present and future generations.
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