Lagos Govt: Trade Fair Demolitions Not Aimed At Igbo, We Demolished Yoruba Houses S/East Govs Also Fell Unapproved Buildings
PRESS STATEMENT
TRADE FAIR COMPLEX: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR UNAPPROVED DEVELOPMENTS REMAINS NON-NEGOTIABLE
1. The Lagos State Government reiterates its zero tolerance for illegal and unapproved developments within the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, pending full compliance with planning regulations and the attainment of a safe, orderly, and sustainable physical environment.
2. Over time, the Trade Fair Complex has degenerated into an enclave of haphazard and unsafe structures, posing grave risks to public safety and emergency response. In line with Sustainable Development Goal 11 — “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” — and the State’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, the Lagos State Government is acting strictly within its constitutional and statutory mandate, as derived from the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act 1992, as domesticated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019, and reinforced by the Supreme Court Judgment of 2003 (Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation). These legal instruments empower states to regulate physical development within their territories, including federal lands, except for areas under exclusive federal use such as military formations.
3. For clarity, land ownership and title are not in contention at the Trade Fair Complex. The ongoing enforcement focuses solely on the approval status of physical developments, as every structure in Lagos State must obtain a valid planning permit from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in accordance with the law.
4. The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to attempts by certain political actors, particularly of South-East extraction, to misrepresent facts and discredit the ongoing enforcement at the Complex. Such actions are populist, ill-motivated, and aimed at scoring cheap political points, rather than advancing the cause of public safety and sustainable development.
5. The administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu remains firmly committed to promoting an orderly, inclusive, liveable, and sustainable physical environment. This commitment underpins urban renewal and redevelopment efforts across the State, which have necessitated the removal of illegal structures in several locations, including:
1)Pelewura Market, Lagos Island – predominantly occupied by Yoruba traders
2)Bombata Market, Lagos Island – predominantly occupied by Yoruba traders
3)LSDPC Low-Cost Housing Estate, Ilasan, Eti-Osa – largely allotted to Yoruba occupants
4)Otumara, Ebute Metta – mainly occupied by people of Ilaje origin
5)Alaba Rago – predominantly occupied by Hausa traders
6)Oluwole Market, Lagos Island – dominated by Yoruba traders
Furthermore, it is on record that several States in the East such as Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo State have also embarked on demolition of identified Illegal Structures for the purposes of flood control mitigation efforts, urban renewal or master plan enforcements. All carried out by the respective Governors without taints of ethnic coloration attached. Why should that of Lagos State be different?
6. It is, therefore, disingenuous and divisive for anyone to resort to ethnic sensationalism whenever enforcement actions involve structures owned or occupied by individuals of Igbo extraction. The Lagos State Government will not be drawn into political grandstanding and urges those fanning ethnic sentiments to desist and instead focus on addressing the pressing socio-economic issues within their constituencies. The actions of the Lagos State government are always guided by the Law.
7. All developers and occupants of structures within the Trade Fair Complex are hereby given a two-week ultimatum to approach the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to regularise the approval status of their buildings in line with extant regulations.
8. The Lagos State Government calls on all residents and stakeholders to cooperate with its ongoing efforts to ensure a safe, well-planned, and sustainable Lagos for all.
Signed:
Dr. Oluyinka Olumide
Honourable Commissioner
Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development
Lagos State
9th October, 2025
Senator Victor Umeh: Lagos Encroaching On Federal Tenants Of Igbo Origin, Obi Owns Plaza, 200 Shops At Complex Since 1995
Excerpts Of Senator Victor Umeh Interview On Channels TV
…..Trade fair Complex in Lagos is a Federal Government establishment not state. It’s under the agency of FG and if anyone wants to get approval to build there, he goes to the Federal Government Land Registry in Ikoyi not to Lagos govt Land Registry in Alausa.
…..Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, lied that buildings are on the canal. No building there is on the drainage channel or on the canal. Trade Fair Complex is not in the moon, anybody can go there and see. 25th September 2025 was the first time they went there and the result was illegal demolition.
..,…. Who should give approval?
It’s the Federal Government that gives approval for building in federal lands not state and since 1995, Federal Government has been given approval for buildings in Trade Fair Complex. Lagos State Government has not given one approval for buildings there.
…… Concurrent jurisdiction?
There is no concurrent jurisdiction . There are Federal Government lands in all the states in Nigeria being managed by Federal Housing Authority not states; and oversight functions is done by FG not state government.
…. Executive Director of Trade Fair Complex is shocked by that action. I’m an Estate Surveyor and a Valuer and a Fellow so I know all about land ownership and land allocation and the process. It’s the Trade Fair management board that manages Trade Fair complex not Lagos State Government.
……This same thing happened at Abule Ado. I’m the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing and I went to Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Chairman Senate Committee on Housing) on the issue of Abule Ado building demolition.
On 25th January 2025, I went to Abule Ado with the M/D Federal Housing Authority, Hon. O. Ojo and he was shocked by his findings and found out they lied to him that the buildings were on the canal.
………Igbos in Lagos should be left alone.They import goods,.clear the goods and on taking the containers to their shops, a lot of obstacles will be placed on them on the road with many levies from one pole to another.
Igbo contribute to the GDP of this country. N6.6 trillion was collected by Customs last year. Ain’t they majorly the money paid by importers for clearing their goods?
….. Obi wielding sentiments?
It’s not true. Mr Commissioner, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, should stop deceiving the people and stop playing politics over the investments of people. Obi was one of the developers of the Trade Fair complex. He has had a plaza there and over 200 shops since 1995.
