Lagos State Government Reaffirms Commitment to Fair Compensation for Owners of Demolished Properties
The Lagos State Government has announced that property owners whose buildings are demolished for being located on the right of way will receive compensation, provided the structures were built with valid planning permits. The clarification comes amid ongoing enforcement actions and renewed efforts to curb unregulated physical development across the state.
Speaking during a public sensitization programme organized by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, underscored the government’s commitment to sustainable and lawful urban growth. He explained that the state’s demolition exercises target only illegal structures, particularly those encroaching on government acquisition schemes, drainage setbacks, and designated road corridors.
Olumide emphasised that Lagos cannot achieve its vision of a resilient and well-planned city without strict adherence to planning regulations. “If any building sited on the right of way had obtained a valid planning permit, the owners would be adequately compensated,” he said, adding that compliance protects both the individual’s investment and the collective interest of the city.
Promoting Compliance and Transparency
The Commissioner urged residents and developers across Ojo, Badagry, Iba/Oto-Awori, Amuwo, Oriade, and Olorunda districts to regularize their properties by securing planning permits. He assured that the state government would not engage in arbitrary demolitions and reaffirmed its transparency in all urban renewal operations.
LASPPPA’s General Manager, Mr. Kehinde Osinailke, reiterated the agency’s openness to public engagement, noting that residents can now apply for permits online to ensure efficiency and accessibility. He added that valid permits serve not only as legal proof of compliance but also as valuable collateral for financial transactions.
During the interactive session, property owners, trade representatives, and community leaders expressed support for the government’s renewed focus on lawful development. The President-General of Alaba International Amalgamated Council, High Chief (Dr.) Camilus Amajuoyi, pledged that traders and developers in the area would comply with the directive, while others raised long-standing concerns about properties built on government-acquired land.
Context and Broader Implications
The latest announcement follows the September 25 demolition of illegal and defective structures at the Alaba International Trade Fair Complex. The multi-agency operation, involving LASPPPA, LASURA, LASBCA, and the Ministry of Physical Planning, targeted buildings that obstructed drainage channels or violated development controls.
The government has maintained that such enforcement actions are essential to prevent flooding, protect public safety, and preserve infrastructure integrity. The Commissioner reiterated that Lagos State remains committed to orderly urban development, guided by fairness, transparency, and the rule of law.
Conclusion
Lagos’s renewed stance reflects a broader effort to balance urban expansion with regulatory enforcement. By linking compensation eligibility to permit compliance, the state government aims to promote accountability among developers and safeguard long-term urban resilience.
