The Lagos State Government has launched a major demolition exercise targeting illegal structures in the Ikate Elegushi area and Lekki-Ikoyi axis, marking a significant escalation in the state's efforts to enforce building regulations and maintain urban planning standards.
Multi-Agency Enforcement Operation
The joint enforcement operation, carried out on Friday, November 22, 2025, involved officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the Office of Urban Development. The coordinated effort specifically targeted structures that violated multiple building regulations, including those encroaching on drainage setbacks, exceeding permissible water levels, and posing serious risks to public safety.
Acting General Manager of LASBCA, Bldr. Gbaye Florence, confirmed that the agency had served multiple notices to the property owners, including stop-work orders and demolition notices, but the owners refused to comply with the directives. She emphasized that the agency will not tolerate any disregard for building laws, noting that unapproved buildings often lack structural integrity and create severe safety hazards for occupants and the surrounding community.
High-Level Government Support
Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Development, Sylvester Ogunkelu, stated that the Assembly fully supports the ongoing drive to sanitize Lagos' built environment. He declared that compliance with building regulations is non-negotiable, especially in a densely populated state like Lagos where unregulated development endangers lives and puts excessive pressure on critical infrastructure.
Also present at the enforcement operation was the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, who emphasized that illegal construction continues to pose significant challenges to environmental sustainability and urban planning in Lagos State. Oki reiterated that the Ministry remains committed to supporting LASBCA to ensure all building developments across Lagos meet required standards.
Expansion to Lekki-Ikoyi Axis
In continuation of the statewide operation, the enforcement team moved to the Lekki-Ikoyi axis, where they identified additional illegal structures. Among the most concerning findings were buildings erected directly under high-tension power lines, which were immediately marked for demolition due to the extreme danger they pose to occupants and the general public.
Officials issued fresh warnings to property owners during the Lekki-Ikoyi routine enforcement, stressing that the government will no longer allow hazardous developments to remain standing. They emphasized that no part of Lagos will be exempt from the ongoing cleanup of illegal developments, particularly in areas prone to environmental hazards or where public safety is at significant risk.
Hon. Ogunkelu reaffirmed that the House of Assembly will continue to support enforcement agencies to ensure compliance, adding that the state government has a responsibility to protect lives and maintain order in the physical development sector. He also revealed that the State will "do its utmost best" to reclaim property that has been usurped by land grabbers.
The Lagos State Government has urged developers, landlords, and prospective property owners to seek proper approval before commencing construction, noting that ignorance of the law will not be accepted as an excuse for violations.
