The Lagos State Government has commenced a large-scale demolition of illegal and unapproved buildings at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo Local Government Area, citing safety risks and the need to restore urban order.
Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, confirmed on Thursday that the operation targets “illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals, defective structures, and buildings erected on road setbacks and drainages.”
“The government cannot continue to ignore the danger posed by structures blocking vital infrastructure and endangering lives,” Gawat said.
The enforcement action involves multiple state agencies, including the Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority. Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Office of Infrastructure, and security personnel were also on hand to support the exercise.
Bulldozers were deployed to remove marked structures as concerned traders looked on, anxious about the future of their businesses.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has repeatedly warned residents against erecting buildings without approval or obstructing drainage channels, noting that such violations exacerbate flooding, traffic congestion, and urban decay.
The latest demolition follows the expiration of the government’s amnesty programme, which had previously allowed property owners to regularise unapproved structures. With the amnesty now closed, enforcement has intensified across Lagos, particularly targeting buildings on road setbacks or blocking drainage systems.
Previous similar demolition drives, including operations in Oworonshoki, have triggered backlash from residents who cited inadequate notice or lack of compensation.
Despite resistance, state officials maintain that the exercise is crucial for safeguarding lives, preventing urban decay, and ensuring sustainable infrastructure in Lagos, the country’s most populous city