Lagos Demolishes Illegal Structures at Trade Fair Complex to Enforce Urban Planning Laws

The Lagos State Government on Thursday commenced the demolition of illegal and unsafe structures at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, as part of its ongoing campaign to restore order and enforce urban planning regulations across the state.

The operation, confirmed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Jubril Gawat, targeted buildings erected without statutory approvals, defective structures, and developments blocking road setbacks and drainage channels.

According to Gawat, the government could no longer allow unapproved constructions to obstruct critical infrastructure and endanger residents. “The Lagos State Government has begun removal of illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals, defective structures, and structures built on road setbacks and drainages in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo Local Government Area,” he stated in a post on X.

The demolition was jointly carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority. The Office of Infrastructure, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and security operatives were also on ground to provide oversight and maintain order.

Bulldozers were deployed to bring down marked structures while traders and shop owners watched anxiously, many expressing concern over the future of their businesses.

The Sanwo-Olu administration has repeatedly warned residents against erecting buildings without official approval or obstructing drainage systems, noting that such violations contribute significantly to flooding, traffic congestion, and unplanned urban sprawl in Lagos.

To address these issues, the government previously introduced an amnesty programme allowing owners of unapproved or irregular structures to regularise their properties without penalty. However, the scheme which was extended multiple times has now expired, paving the way for stricter enforcement.

LASBCA has since intensified demolition exercises in different parts of the city, focusing on areas where illegal structures block vital infrastructure or pose safety hazards.

Despite government justification, similar exercises in the past have drawn criticism from displaced residents and business owners who claim they were given little notice before enforcement. In areas like Oworonshoki, affected residents complained about inadequate time to relocate or secure their belongings.

Urban planners argue that while enforcement is necessary for long-term safety and order, better communication and resettlement strategies are needed to minimise the socio-economic impact on vulnerable communities.

Officials maintain that the current exercise at the Trade Fair Complex is a continuation of Lagos State’s broader efforts to protect lives, safeguard infrastructure, and manage the city’s rapid urbanisation. The government has vowed to sustain the momentum of its clean-up campaign, despite potential backlash, stressing that adherence to planning regulations is non-negotiable in Africa’s most populous city.