NITP President Urges Dialogue on Demolition of 170 Estates Along Lagos Coastal Highway
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Dr. Chime Ogbonna, has called on the federal and Lagos State governments to pursue dialogue and collaboration in addressing the proposed demolition of 170 estates located along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor.
Speaking in an interview, Dr. Ogbonna stressed that while unapproved structures remain legally subject to removal, the scale of the current situation requires a more measured approach to prevent unnecessary economic losses.
Dr. Ogbonna clarified that under Nigerian planning laws, any structure lacking proper approval may be demolished at any time. However, he underscored the uniqueness of this case, noting that the issue involves entire estates rather than individual buildings.
“If those estates were not approved by the Lagos State Government in accordance with existing laws, the state has the right to act,” he explained. “But we must also recognize that these developments represent significant investments funded by Nigerians for Nigerians. Demolishing them wholesale would amount to wastage.”
Call for Case-by-Case Review
To mitigate the potential economic fallout, Dr. Ogbonna recommended a case-by-case review of the estates in question. He suggested that certain developments might be retained if adjustments or additional facilities are provided by their owners.
“This is a very large number,” he observed. “Looking at the estates individually, and identifying those that can be adapted rather than destroyed, would help preserve value while still ensuring compliance.”
Avoiding Federal-State Conflict
Dr. Ogbonna also cautioned against conflict between the federal and Lagos State governments over the demolitions. He emphasised the importance of coordination, given the significance of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a national infrastructure project.
“If we go strictly by law, the federal government must work with the state to determine what stays and what goes,” he said. “It should not become a tussle between both levels of government. A cooperative approach will serve the national interest better.”
Key Takeaway
The NITP president’s intervention highlights the broader challenge of balancing regulatory enforcement with economic preservation in Nigeria’s urban development sector. As the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway progresses, policymakers face the critical task of safeguarding infrastructure delivery without undermining private investments worth billions of naira.
