The Lagos State Government (LASG) has defended its recent demolition of 19 buildings at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, asserting that the action falls squarely within its legal rights to enforce physical planning laws. The statement, issued by Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, Commissioner for Physical Planning, at 5:52 PM WAT on Friday, September 26, 2025, follows the controversial demolition at New Mandela Plaza on September 25, 2025, and underscores the state’s authority to regulate development, even on federal land.

 

Legal Justification for the Demolition

Dr. Olumide emphasized that LASG’s mandate is backed by a 2003 Supreme Court judgment and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019 (as amended), which empower the state to oversee planning regulations and issue permits. He clarified that the Trade Fair Complex’s location on Federal Government land does not exempt developers from complying with state laws or obtaining necessary approvals.

“We have acted decisively to halt further development of unapproved and unsafe buildings in the Complex,” Dr. Olumide stated. “A livable, organized, orderly, and sustainable built environment is crucial to achieving our T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.” The T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, a key pillar of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, focuses on traffic management, health, education, and sustainability, among other priorities.

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Context of Non-Compliance

The Trade Fair Complex, a 350-hectare commercial hub along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, has a longstanding history of non-compliance with building regulations. Despite multiple warnings, including a November 2023 directive from the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to regularize constructions, many developers failed to align with state standards. This led to the demolition of 19 structures at New Mandela Plaza, executed under heavy security to ensure order.

Dr. Olumide noted that the complex’s refusal to voluntarily comply, despite repeated notices, necessitated the enforcement action. Previous attempts to address illegal constructions, such as the 2023 sealing of buildings in the area, had limited success, prompting the latest intervention.

 

Broader Enforcement Efforts

The commissioner stressed that the demolition is part of LASG’s ongoing efforts to promote safety, livability, and well-being across the state, not just within the Trade Fair Complex. Similar actions have targeted areas like Lekki, Ikeja, and Banana Island, where unapproved or unsafe buildings pose risks, especially during flooding seasons. The move follows recent incidents, such as the September 2025 fire at Mandilas Plaza, which underscored the dangers of non-compliant structures and blocked access routes.

 

Community and Stakeholder Reactions

The demolition has sparked mixed responses. While urban planners and some residents support the state’s efforts to curb illegal constructions, affected traders at Trade Fair Complex have expressed dismay over the lack of prior notice. One trader, impacted by the New Mandela Plaza demolition, lamented, “We invested everything here, and they gave us no warning before bringing in the bulldozers.”

LASG has pledged to engage stakeholders through public forums to educate developers on compliance and offer support for regularization where possible, aiming to mitigate tensions and ensure future cooperation.

 

The demolition of 19 buildings at Trade Fair Complex highlights LASG’s resolve to enforce planning laws amid Lagos’s rapid urban growth, which strains infrastructure with a population exceeding 20 million. The action reinforces the state’s authority but also underscores the challenge of balancing development with the livelihoods of affected communities.

The Lagos State Government, through Commissioner Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, has affirmed that the demolition of 19 buildings at Trade Fair Complex on September 25, 2025, was within its legal rights, supported by the 2003 Supreme Court judgment and the 2019 Urban and Regional Planning Law. As part of the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, this enforcement action aims to create a safer, more organized urban environment. With plans for stakeholder engagement underway, LASG seeks to address community concerns while upholding its regulatory mandate.

 

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