As building demolitions surge across Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, debates intensify over legality, governance, and the human cost of enforcing urban planning laws.
The demolition of buildings, homes, and makeshift structures has once again become a dominant topic of public discourse in Nigeria. While demolitions are not new, they have occurred across different eras and societies, their growing frequency and emotional impact have placed them at the center of national debate.
Demolitions take place for several reasons. Individuals or organizations may bring down old structures to make way for new developments, provided they obtain proper statutory approvals. However, when government authorities carry out demolitions, it is often in the interest of public safety, law enforcement, and urban planning control.
In Nigeria, these actions tend to spark outrage especially when they involve communities or businesses accused of violating building or environmental laws. Many such cases involve structures erected without proper approvals, on canals, drainage setbacks, or other restricted areas, thereby posing safety or environmental hazards.
Recent examples in Lagos include demolitions in Oko Oba, Agege, Lekki, Ajah, Festac Town, and Oworonshoki. Authorities also recently cleared illegal structures at the Trade Fair Complex, citing safety concerns and violation of urban planning regulations. Yet, despite the legal basis for such exercises, some political figures have tried to exploit them for ethnic or political gain, inflaming public sentiment rather than promoting understanding of the law.
This politicization of urban enforcement has deepened public mistrust. Demolitions that should ordinarily be viewed as lawful corrective measures are now seen through ethnic or partisan lenses, a dangerous trend that threatens national cohesion.
Under Nigerian law, however, the state’s authority is clear. Section 1 of the Land Use Act vests ownership of all land in a state in the Governor. Similarly, the 2003 Supreme Court judgment in Attorney-General of Lagos State v. Attorney-General of the Federation affirmed that land use and physical planning fall under concurrent jurisdiction. States therefore have the constitutional power to regulate development and enforce planning laws within their territories except in exclusive federal enclaves like military bases.
Given this legal clarity, attempts by some politicians to incite ethnic or regional sentiment against Lagos State’s enforcement actions are not only irresponsible but misleading. Historically, Lagos has been Nigeria’s melting pot, a city where people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds coexist peacefully. Turning legal enforcement into an ethnic issue undermines this legacy.
Understandably, the demolition of homes and businesses built with years of labor and investment evokes deep pain and frustration. But emotions should not override the rule of law. Citizens, political leaders, and institutions all share a collective duty to respect legal provisions and prevent such crises through compliance and accountability.
Beyond sentiments, the larger question is: how do we prevent future demolitions and the losses they bring?
For starters, property owners must take responsibility by verifying land status before building. In many cases, people fail to conduct basic searches to determine whether land is under government acquisition or located within drainage or setback zones. Instead, they rush to obtain questionable documents through dubious legal or bureaucratic shortcuts.
Legal practitioners, architects, and town planners also share part of the blame. Some professionals prepare or endorse building plans without verifying layout compliance or obtaining proper approvals. Their actions often driven by corruption or negligence contribute to the proliferation of illegal structures. Unfortunately, such professionals rarely face disciplinary action, leaving demolition as the only visible form of sanction.
Government, too, has a role to play in preventing these recurring crises. Authorities should deploy technology to make land verification and approval processes transparent and accessible. Reducing human interference in these processes would help minimize corruption and encourage compliance.
There is also a pressing need for sustained public education. Citizens must be enlightened about land rights, approval procedures, and the consequences of illegal development. Continuous advocacy and community engagement can help bridge the gap between enforcement and understanding.
Ultimately, demolitions are a painful but sometimes necessary consequence of enforcing urban planning laws. Yet, to minimize their occurrence, both government and citizens must act responsibly, adhering to due process, prioritizing safety, and resisting the temptation to politicize what is fundamentally a matter of law and order.
When the news of a demolition breaks, it is important to pause, examine the facts, and resist emotional or ethnic manipulation. More often than not, the cause of the problem lies not in enforcement but in our collective failure to follow the law.
By: Nelson Ekujumi
📧 nelekujumi@gmail.com
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