Lagos State Government Denies Involvement in FESTAC Demolitions, Reaffirms Commitment to Due Process
The Lagos State Government has denied involvement in the recent demolition of properties in FESTAC Town, clarifying that it neither authorised nor supervised the operation, which has drawn public criticism and confusion.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 14 October, by the Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mukaila Sanusi, the state government said the clarification became necessary following widespread reports linking it to the demolitions.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, stated that Lagos maintains a transparent and regulated process for all demolition activities, which includes the issuance of statutory notices and engagement with affected stakeholders before any structure is removed.
“The Lagos State Government had no role in the FESTAC demolitions,” Olumide said. “FESTAC Town falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), and the state was not part of that operation.”
Clarification on Jurisdiction and Development Control
Dr. Olumide emphasised that federal agencies carrying out physical development activities within Lagos must seek clearance from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to ensure coordination and avoid misinformation.
While disassociating itself from the FESTAC incident, the state government confirmed that it had recently undertaken demolition exercises at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex. These actions, according to the ministry, targeted unapproved and structurally unsafe buildings that posed public safety risks.
The ministry added that the affected structures at Trade Fair lacked valid planning permits, despite several amnesty windows extended to property owners for regularisation. It also dismissed claims by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that the traders possessed the necessary approvals, describing the assertion as “misleading.”
Lagos Reasserts Legal Authority Over Planning Regulation
The government reiterated that the Trade Fair Complex Management Board lacks the legal authority to issue building approvals. It referenced a 2003 Supreme Court ruling affirming Lagos State’s jurisdiction over physical planning and development control across the state including on federal lands except in areas designated as core federal enclaves.
This clarification aligns with the state’s broader effort to enforce planning discipline amid rising cases of unregulated construction and environmental breaches.
Upcoming Enforcement Actions
The ministry further announced plans to commence the removal of illegal structures erected on reclaimed lands and natural waterways from 15 October. These developments, according to officials, obstruct drainage systems and exacerbate flooding challenges across the metropolis.
The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to urban order, safety, and environmental sustainability, warning residents and developers against disregarding planning regulations.
“Due process remains the foundation of Lagos’ physical development strategy,” the statement concluded. “The state will continue to prioritise transparency, legal compliance, and public safety in all enforcement operations.”
