The National President of the Ijesa Youth Forum (IYF), Prince Adebusuyi Tobiloba Adeleye, has urged the Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, to suspend unions and associations accused of fueling arbitrary and exploitative price increases across Ilesa and its neighbouring communities.
In a statement released on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Prince Adeleye said the Forum has observed a disturbing pattern in which artisans especially those dealing in building materials, repair services, and household essentials along with general vendors and supermarkets now charge prices far above what is obtainable in major cities such as Lagos and Abuja.
He described the trend as not only exploitative but also harmful to the economic image and stability of Ijesaland.
“Some artisans now demand labour charges far above national averages, and in many cases higher than what professionals charge in major metropolitan cities,” Prince Adeleye said. “Vendors are fixing prices without proper measurement or transparency. Supermarkets have also joined in indiscriminate pricing. This level of exploitation undermines the trust, fairness, and values on which Ijesaland was built.”
Prince Adeleye explained that several complaints had flooded his office from residents especially youths, returning entrepreneurs, business owners, new settlers, and even students who expressed frustration at being charged exorbitantly for basic services and goods.
The IYF President noted that labour costs for simple repairs have doubled or tripled in recent months, while many service providers reportedly exploit non-indigenes and newcomers unfamiliar with local pricing patterns.
“This conduct is unacceptable, unpatriotic, and entirely against the economic values of our land,” the IYF President emphasized. “Ijesa people are known for fairness and integrity. We cannot allow a small group to destroy the business culture and reputation that generations have built.”
To address the situation, Prince Adeleye announced that the Ijesa Youth Forum will soon commence a comprehensive market sanitization campaign. This initiative will include collecting verified video clips of cases of overpricing, documenting abuses, and responsibly exposing offenders with the sole aim of restoring order—not causing conflict.
Prince Adeleye expressed confidence that suspending the unions and associations linked to the price hike would help reset the business environment and encourage fair competition.
“If our Imperial Majesty suspends these unions and associations, artisans and service providers will be compelled to maintain integrity, create real value, and charge responsibly. No one should exploit the same environment that sustains their livelihood,” he said.
He further observed that Ijesaland is currently undergoing unprecedented academic, cultural, infrastructural, and economic growth under the leadership of the Owa Obokun Adimula, and warned that unchecked inflation could slow down or derail those gains.
Prince Adeleye reaffirmed the commitment of the Ijesa Youth Forum to promoting fairness, transparency, and sustainable economic development across all 190 communities in Ijesaland.
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