The Lagos State Government has initiated the demolition of illegal and structurally unsafe buildings at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, as part of its wider efforts to enforce physical planning regulations and restore order in the area.
The Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, confirmed the development in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that the enforcement targets buildings without official approval, defective structures, and developments obstructing critical infrastructure like roads and drainage channels.
According to Gawat, the state can no longer remain passive while unauthorized structures threaten public safety and block essential services.
“The Lagos State Government has commenced the removal of illegal developments, unapproved structures, and buildings constructed on setbacks and drainage paths within the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo,” he stated.
The operation is a coordinated effort involving several government bodies, including the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Physical Planning Permit Authority. Officials from the Office of Infrastructure, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and law enforcement agencies were also on the ground to provide support.
During the exercise, bulldozers were seen pulling down marked structures, while shop owners and traders watched anxiously, concerned about the disruption to their businesses.
The Sanwo-Olu-led administration has repeatedly cautioned residents against erecting buildings without proper documentation or on public infrastructure. Authorities argue that such developments are a major cause of urban challenges, including flooding, traffic bottlenecks, and disorganized city growth.
This demolition drive is part of a broader statewide campaign aimed at preserving infrastructure, improving safety, and curbing indiscriminate construction. Officials warn that illegal structures not only pose physical risks but also obstruct the state’s urban planning goals.
However, such operations have not been without controversy. In past enforcement efforts, some affected residents have complained of inadequate notice and displacement. For instance, residents in Oworonshoki expressed frustration over the lack of time to relocate or protect their belongings before demolitions began.
Before this crackdown, the state had introduced an amnesty programme offering property owners with irregular or unapproved structures an opportunity to regularise their buildings without penalties. That programme, which was extended multiple times, has now ended—prompting renewed enforcement actions across Lagos.
With the expiration of the amnesty window, LASBCA and related agencies have ramped up efforts to clear illegal constructions, particularly in flood-prone and high-risk areas where buildings encroach on roads, waterways, and safety zones.
