Outrage as Sanwo-Olu’s bulldozers demolish more buildings

By Maduka Nweke

Nigerians from various walks of life have lamented the relentless demolitions carried out by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, arguing that the punishment should not fall on homeowners and landlords for infractions related to building codes. While many acknowledge the governor’s intent to preserve Lagos’ original city plans, they contend that lapses by government agencies in supervision and monitoring are equally responsible for the violations that have led to the destruction of properties.

Recent demolition activities in Lagos have highlighted this tension. In Oworonshoki, a new wave of demolitions began around November 24, 2025, in the Coker axis, while structures on Lagos Island were also razed on the same date. In Lekki, the Ikota River Right of Way saw the destruction of 17 buildings on October 13, 2025, due to encroachments. These incidents underscore the perception that supervisory authorities were not adequately monitoring construction activities to prevent violations before they escalated into costly demolitions.

The concerns raised by residents and civil society are reinforced by a communiqué from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), issued during a Building/Construction Sector conference co-organised with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja. The conference, themed “Adherence to Standard Practices: Bedrock of Sustainable Development in the Building/Construction Sector”, lamented the lackluster attitude of both builders and supervisors in adhering to construction standards.

One of the experts, Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, emphasised that compliance with standard practices forms the foundation of sustainability in the building and construction sector. He pointed out that neglecting codes and guidelines has resulted in building collapses, endangering lives, causing property loss, and eroding public trust. Okeke stressed that builders must strictly follow the country’s construction rules to safeguard both lives and investments.

Similarly, Gospel artist Testimony Jaga called on the Lagos State government to address the humanitarian consequences of recent demolitions along AIT Road, Kola, and the Powerline axis. Homes and shops were torn down by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) on the grounds that the structures encroached on high-tension powerline corridors. The operations have left countless families, including elderly citizens and widows, homeless and without livelihoods.

Jaga criticised government actions, alleging that land cleared for public infrastructure projects such as a BRT garage and a Mechanic Village is now being repurposed for private developments, including a mall and rows of shops. “The demolitions were supposed to facilitate public projects, yet residents are being displaced while private construction begins,” he said. The singer argued that such actions have shattered lives, leaving hundreds exposed to harsh conditions, including rain, mosquitoes, hunger, and the cold Lagos nights.

The human impact of the demolitions is profound. Mrs. Adebimpe Oduro, a widow, recounted losing her only source of livelihood when her shop was bulldozed. Mrs. Shola Ikotun and Mrs. Bisoye Lawal described the devastating effect of losing their shops, which were critical to sustaining their families. Sixty-four-year-old Mrs. Olabisi Osho had her home, built with her late husband, demolished without warning. She suffered a head injury and passed out during the chaos, only to find LASBCA officials continuing the demolitions while she lay unconscious. She wept as she recalled, “My husband died four years ago. This house was all I had left of him.”

Similarly, 66-year-old Aina Adejare described the loss of her marital home, where she had lived for over 30 years following her husband’s death ten years ago. “I sleep on the bare ground now. I have no money, nowhere to go, and nobody to help,” she lamented, highlighting the vulnerability of many affected residents.

Testimony Jaga urged the government to adhere to the original development plans for a BRT depot and a Mechanic Village, arguing that these initiatives would create jobs and enhance the local economy while avoiding unnecessary displacement of vulnerable residents. He also called for immediate compensation for those affected, particularly widows and elderly individuals now sleeping outdoors without access to food, water, or basic shelter.

“The situation is a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention from the government,” Jaga said. “The affected residents are in dire need of assistance, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that their rights are protected and their needs are met.”

As Lagos continues to grapple with urban growth and infrastructure challenges, the ongoing demolitions have highlighted a critical tension between enforcing urban planning regulations and protecting the welfare of citizens. While the government’s aim to maintain the city’s structural integrity is widely recognised, stakeholders argue that stricter supervision, proactive monitoring, and adherence to humanitarian considerations must guide enforcement actions. The lives of ordinary residents, especially those already vulnerable, should not be collateral damage in the pursuit of urban compliance.

The episode serves as a reminder that sustainable urban development requires not only regulatory enforcement but also transparency, accountability, and a people-centered approach that balances planning objectives with the socio-economic realities of residents. Without such balance, urban renewal efforts risk undermining public trust and creating social crises even as they attempt to shape a more organised and modern Lagos.