Lagos Govt Rejects Allegations of Ethnic Bias in Trade Fair Complex Demolition

The Lagos State Government has refuted allegations that the ongoing demolition of illegal structures at the Trade Fair Complex is targeted at a particular ethnic group, insisting the exercise is a lawful enforcement of urban planning regulations.

Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olumide Oluyinka, dismissed the accusations, stressing that the operation was not motivated by ethnicity.

“That is not true. We have been to Owode Onirin, Idumota, and Ikeja. It has no ethnic correlation. The fact is that we just have to do our work. There is nothing ethnic here; it is purely technical,” Oluyinka stated.

According to the commissioner, many of the structures inside the complex were erected without statutory approvals and in violation of safety standards.

“The facts are clear; when you are in a place, you must live by the law of that place. It is as simple as that,” he added.

Oluyinka explained that traders and occupants had been given sufficient notice before the demolition exercise began. He recalled a visit in March 2024, during which state officials attempting to serve notices were harassed and detained.

“Our officers went there to serve notices and were locked up for five to six hours. We had to bring in the police to release them. Even this year, officers went there and were detained. So what more notice are they requesting? It’s not new to them that we were coming,” the commissioner recounted.

He further accused the Trade Fair Management of complicity, alleging that land was leased to third parties who disregarded planning laws. He also lamented the deteriorating state of infrastructure within the complex.

“It’s a shame we allowed our Trade Fair to get to that extent. Refuse, passage, drainages, walkways, sewage, everything is in shambles. They should even be happy we are there to sanitise because that is our responsibility. We cannot allow it to continue,” he stressed.

The demolition exercise, which commenced on September 25, is being carried out jointly by the Ministry of Physical Planning, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Urban Renewal Agency, and the Physical Planning Permit Authority.