THE Lagos State Government has issued a two-week ultimatum to property developers and owners at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo to obtain proper building approvals and regularise their structures in line with state planning laws.
The directive, announced by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, comes amid ongoing enforcement against illegal developments across the state.
He stated that during the two-week window, affected developers must visit the ministry to “regularise the approval status of their buildings” in accordance with existing physical planning regulations.
Olumide clarified that the enforcement exercise is not about land ownership but focuses strictly on the approval status of physical structures.
He emphasised that every building in Lagos must have a valid planning permit issued by the ministry, as required under the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act (1992) and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law (2019).
The commissioner stressed that the government maintains zero tolerance for illegal and unapproved buildings, noting that many parts of the Trade Fair Complex have deteriorated into zones of unsafe and disorganised structures, posing significant risks to public safety and emergency response efforts.
“Over time, the Trade Fair Complex has degenerated into an enclave of haphazard and unsafe structures. The government’s enforcement 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,” Olumide stated.
He also warned that once the two-week grace period lapses, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) will resume the demolition of non-compliant buildings within the complex.
The commissioner urged all developers and stakeholders to cooperate with the government’s efforts to promote a safe, well-planned, and sustainable Lagos, while dismissing claims that the recent demolitions in the area were targeted at any particular ethnic group.
In recent months, the state government has carried out demolition exercises in several areas, including parts of the Trade Fair Complex, citing violations of physical planning and safety regulations.