Commissioner says demolitions not targeted at any ethnic group, warns of enforcement after deadline
The Lagos State Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to property developers and building owners within the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo to obtain proper building approvals and regularise their developments in line with the state’s physical planning regulations.
The directive was announced on Thursday by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, who urged all affected stakeholders to approach the ministry during the period to rectify the approval status of their structures.
“All developers and occupants of structures within the Trade Fair Complex are hereby given a two-week ultimatum to approach the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to regularise the approval status of their buildings in line with extant regulations,” Olumide stated.
No Dispute Over Land Ownership
Addressing concerns raised by some residents and community leaders—particularly over perceived ethnic bias in the ongoing demolitions—Olumide clarified that land ownership and titles are not in dispute at the Trade Fair Complex.
“The ongoing enforcement focuses solely on the approval status of physical developments. Every structure in Lagos State must obtain a valid planning permit from the ministry in accordance with the law,” he said.
The Commissioner noted that non-compliant structures would face demolition once the two-week grace period ends. The enforcement would be carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
Ethnic Tensions, Clarifications
The demolition exercise in the area had sparked controversy, with some aggrieved residents and prominent Igbo leaders alleging that the government’s actions were ethnically motivated. However, the commissioner dismissed these claims, reiterating that the move is part of a broader effort to ensure public safety and orderly urban development.
“Over time, the Trade Fair Complex has degenerated into an enclave of haphazard and unsafe structures, posing grave risks to public safety and emergency response,” Olumide explained.
Backed by Law and Policy
The enforcement drive, he added, is in line with the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992) and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law (2019). These laws empower the state government to regulate development across its territory, including federal lands not used for exclusive federal purposes, such as military facilities.
The initiative also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, which prioritise inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.
“The Lagos State Government calls on all residents and stakeholders to cooperate with its ongoing efforts to ensure a safe, well-planned, and sustainable Lagos for all,” Olumide said.
