Lagos govt denies authorising demolition of constructions in FESTAC City 

The Lagos State Authorities has denied authorising the latest demolition of constructions in FESTAC City, saying it was not concerned within the train.

The clarification was contained in a press release signed by Mukaila Sanusi, Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Bodily Planning and City Growth, on October 14, 2025.

The assertion famous that the Commissioner for Bodily Planning and City Growth, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, made the clarification in Alausa, the place he emphasised that the state authorities had no position within the demolitions just lately carried out within the space.

Olumide defined that Lagos State maintains a transparent and clear process for any authorised demolition, which incorporates the issuance of statutory notices and engagement with affected stakeholders earlier than any construction is eliminated.

“The Lagos State Authorities has denied any involvement within the latest demolition of constructions in FESTAC City. Commissioner for Bodily Planning and City Growth, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide made this clarification on Tuesday in Alausa. He defined that, opposite to hypothesis, the State Authorities had no position within the demolitions carried out within the space,” the assertion learn partly. 

The clarification got here amid public hypothesis linking the Lagos State Authorities to the latest demolition of buildings in FESTAC City, an space administered by the Federal Housing Authority.

Olumide stated the state authorities had no position within the train and maintained that any demolition not backed by due course of didn’t signify the federal government’s place.

He added that businesses working inside Lagos, together with federal our bodies, ought to receive clearance from the Ministry of Bodily Planning and City Growth earlier than finishing up demolition actions to stop battle and misinformation.

What you must know

Whereas the Lagos State Authorities denied involvement within the FESTAC City demolitions, it just lately authorised demolition workout routines on the Commerce Truthful Complicated after figuring out a number of unapproved and unsafe constructions that posed public security dangers.

The federal government stated the affected buildings lacked legitimate planning permits and described as deceptive the claims by Peter Obi that merchants had obtained needed approvals.

It added that builders got a number of alternatives underneath earlier amnesty programmes to regularise their constructions however did not comply.

• The state additionally clarified that the Commerce Truthful Complicated Administration Board has no authority to approve constructing development, citing a 2003 Supreme Court docket ruling that affirmed Lagos’ jurisdiction over bodily planning and improvement management, even on federal lands, besides in core federal enclaves.

In a associated effort, the federal government has directed consideration to properties on unlawful reclamation websites throughout the state, asserting that removing of such constructions will start on October 15 to stop flooding attributable to buildings obstructing pure waterways and drainage channels.