Lagos State Begins Demolition of Illegal Structures as 90-day Amnesty Period Expires

• With the additional 90-day amnesty period expired, the Lagos state government is set to commence demolition of illegal structures
• This includes structures that compromise public safety, unapproved structures, and others that compromise Lagos state building regulations
• The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has announced the area where the demolitions will commence

Legit.ng journalist Ruth Okwumbu-Imafidon has over a decade of experience in business reporting across digital and mainstream media.

The Lagos state government is set to commence the removal of illegal structures in selected areas across the state.

The move follows the expiration of the extended amnesty period granted by the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) shared the update on its website on Monday, March 31, 2025.

According to the LASBCA, the exercise began in Ogudu GRA, where officials of the agency moved in to enforce compliance with the state’s urban planning regulations to safeguard public safety.

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Lagos State offers 90-day amnesty period

Last year, the Lagos state government offered a 90-day amnesty period that lasted till December 31, 2024, to enable landlords and property developers to take the necessary steps to regularise their documents and ensure that their properties align with the Lagos state masterplan.

The Permanent Secretary of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, noted that this drive would remove non-compliant buildings to restore order to the physical planning landscape across Lagos state and ensure the safety of residents.

Oki added that the amnesty period has provided property owners enough time to comply with Lagos state building regulations and obtain necessary approvals, the PUNCH reports.

He noted that despite several notices and reminders, some property owners have yet to comply, leaving the agency with no option but to forcefully reclaim public spaces in order to prevent building collapses.

The amnesty period was first offered for 90 days from May 2 to July 30, 2024, and was later extended to the end of October 2024. The aim was to allow those who erected their properties without obtaining the relevant permits and planning approvals to do so.

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Due to the high volume of applications received in this period, the commissioner for physical planning and urban development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, announced a further extension of the period to allow more people to benefit.

LASBCA has reiterated its commitment to remove illegal, unapproved and unsafe structures across Lagos state to ensure safety, and in line with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s developmental agenda.

Oki noted that this exercise had been preceded by extensive consultations, months of notices and reminders, clearly stated compliance requirements and repeated warnings. He noted that the move could not be considered hasty due to these reasons.

Recall that the agency recently sealed a 10-storey building site in Gbagada due to non-compliance. Even though approval had been given for a 6-storey building structure, the property developer proceeded to erect a 10-storey posing a huge risk to residents.

Lagos state's enforcement against building collapses

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Building collapses have happened repeatedly in recent years across the country, affecting homes, schools, and even churches.

With many incidents having happened in Lagos, this has prompted enforcement actions by state authorities to improve structural integrity.

The LASBCA has led crackdowns on substandard structures, sealing and demolishing buildings that violate safety regulations.

In 2022, the government intensified efforts following multiple collapses, including the Ikoyi high-rise tragedy in 2021, which killed over 40 people.

Authorities implemented stricter approval processes, increased site inspections, and penalized developers who flouted standards.

The state also launched a whistleblower initiative to report unsafe buildings and revised building codes to ensure compliance.

However, enforcement challenges persist due to corruption, weak oversight, and resistance from developers.

Despite these efforts, Lagos continues to witness structural failures, highlighting the need for sustained regulatory enforcement and adherence to safety measures.

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The government has reiterated its commitment to demolishing unstable buildings and prosecuting offenders to prevent future tragedies.

Lagos to demolish buildings at Banana Island

In related news, Legit.ng reported that the Lagos government announced plans to start marking illegal structures on Banana Island for demolition.

The structures to be demolished were those that failed to comply with government rules and regulations.

The government offered two weeks of grace before the marked buildings were demolished.

This article has been updated by head of business desk, Victor Enengedi, with additional information.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng