Presidnet Bola Tinubu and Gov. babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State
…Stakeholders Shocked, Speechless
Further to the determined drive of the Lagos State Government to begin full control of building approval, permit and regulation at the Lagos International Trade Fair complex on Badagry Expressway, the Lagos State Government has given a two-week ultimatum to developers and occupants of structures within the Trade Fair Complex to regularise the approval status of their buildings in line with State building regulations.
Business Hilights recalls that the latest wave of onslaught on the complex mainly peopled by Igbos, started late last month when the demolition machines of the state invaded the complex unannounced and defaced about 19 buildings both completed and many under construction citing non-approval from the state government.
Whereas the demolitions attracted former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, who faulted the timing of the demolition considering the jumping level of sufferings amongst businesses and Nigerians, the State Government insisted that its time to fully take over the complex in terms of building approvals and associated regulations.
Pursuant to achieving this age-long target especially now the coast is clearer than ever before considering the silent fact that Lagos State is technically in charge of both ‘Aso Rock’ and the supervising Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, it handed down an ultimatum issued in a circular dated Thursday, October 9, 2025, and signed by the Lagos State Commissioner of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide.
Industry analysts said the calculated drive of the state to begin the management of land use in the complex is further emboldened by the observed official silence of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole who is also from Lagos State.
The Commissioner made it clear that land ownership and title are not in contention at the Trade Fair Complex, hence the need for all developers and occupants of structures to approach the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The commissioner added that 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 in accordance with the law.
Speaking further, Olumide said 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.
He lamented that 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),” the statement read.
“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.
“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.”
Efforts to get official responses from the ED/CEO of the complex, Barr. Vera Ndanusa on the latest directive of the State Government failed even as the executives of the Lagos Trade Fair Stakeholders Forum declined comments citing infiltration of their ranks by unknown enemies within.
However, several estate valuers who spoke to Business Hilights on grounds of anonymity on the key targets of the State Government said Lagos State Government over the years have been feeling that it is supposed to be making huge fortune in terms of approvals in the complex, but due to differnces in who is in charge in Abuja and Alausa over the years, it has not been possible other than now, both are in one indivisible ‘Page’.
In what experts term rough estimates of what the State Government will rake in if all buildings go for approval regularization, they are looking at multi-billion naira IGR all things being equal.
Experts also said if the State gains access as its beginning to emerge and manifest, the hitherto control of the LITFCMB of the complex, an agency of the supervising ministry may just become very limited and frustrating as it will mean that the traders will be under double supervision after all.
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