[1][2] The Trans Wonderland project was initiated in 1987 by the incumbent military Governor at the time: colonel Adetunji Olurin, while construction of the park began in August 1988,following the financial support from the subsequent Governor, Colonel Sasaenia Adedeji Oresanya.
[3] Before its closure, the park was a shadow of its former self because many of the attractions had fallen into disrepair and were no longer in good working condition due to maintenance issues.
[5][6][7][8][9] In an official newsletter on the 21st of September, 2023, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde announced his plans to convert the amusement park into a housing project,[10] citing a lack of interest from private sector collaborators due to obsolete equipment and problems with building a more modern park at the same location as reasons for the decision to utilise the land for a housing project.
He also added that the revenue from the housing project would be used to develop the state further, and that a new modern amusement park would be constructed at the Ilutuntun Business District through a PPP collaboration.
This announcement was met with displeasure from various sources, with some calling it an extinction[11] and a coalition of child-focused NGOs stating that the demolition of the amusement park would deprive children of their rights to leisure and recreation.