The recent demolition of multi-billion-naira shops at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos has ignited a firestorm of controversy, placing a harsh spotlight on the enforcement of urban planning laws and the devastating economic consequences for traders and property owners. This action, which also saw 19 other buildings razed, occurred on 20 November 2025, leaving a trail of confusion, anger, and financial ruin in its wake.
The Lagos State Government, through its agencies, maintains that the demolished structures were in clear violation of state planning regulations. However, this position is fiercely contested by the affected business owners and developers. Many argue they possessed valid approvals, some even claiming to have secured permissions from federal agencies, thereby exposing the long-standing and complex tension between state and federal authority over land allocation.
Due Process and the Question of Fair Notice
A central issue in this conflict is whether due process was followed. Urban planning laws derive their legitimacy from fairness and transparency. Allegations from traders at the Trade Fair Complex suggest they received no proper notice before the bulldozers arrived. The onus is now on the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to provide clear answers. Were official notices issued? If so, to whom and when? The absence of public hearings or a window for dialogue risks painting the government as an oppressor rather than a protector of order.
A Clash of Authorities and Colossal Economic Waste
Further complicating the matter are claims of federal approvals. The Trade Fair Complex has a history of being a battleground for jurisdictional disputes between federal and state governments. If the federal government granted leases or concessions, does Lagos State have the unilateral power to override them? This legal grey zone, rooted in the 1999 Constitution, calls for amicable resolution through dialogue or the courts, not bulldozers. By opting for demolition, the state has effectively punished traders who are innocent bystanders in a governmental turf war.
The timing of the action is equally troubling. Many of the destroyed buildings had stood for years, housing thriving businesses. The government's sudden enforcement, after years of perceived complacency, feels like a betrayal to those who invested their life savings based on the status quo. This inconsistency erodes trust and makes regulations seem like arbitrary landmines.
Most devastating is the sheer economic waste. With Nigeria grappling with a severe economic crisis and record-high inflation, the destruction of billions of naira in investments is a cruel blow. These demolitions have not just destroyed concrete; they have erased jobs, livelihoods, and the futures of thousands of traders, their employees, and suppliers. This spectacle sends a chilling message to both local and foreign investors about the security of their investments in Nigeria.
The Path Forward: Reform and Compassionate Enforcement
Even if the structures were illegal, demolition should be the last resort. Global cities often employ fines, penalties, or renegotiated permits to achieve compliance. The choice of the bulldozer first suggests a government that values rigid enforcement over pragmatic, humane solutions. Furthermore, if the state's own approval system through LASBCA is plagued by bureaucracy and delays, it shares responsibility for the violations it now punishes.
To salvage the situation, Lagos State must consider partial compensation for affected traders, especially where government delay contributed to the crisis. It must also urgently reform its planning approval system to be transparent and efficient. Crucially, disputes between federal and state authorities over land must be legally clarified to prevent citizens from being caught in the middle again. For sustainable urban governance, Lagos must learn to enforce order with justice and foresight, balancing regulation with compassion to avoid such tragic waste in the future.
