Sir: The sound of bulldozers has become familiar across parts of Lagos. Structures fall, dust rises, and residents watch helplessly as homes and offices are reduced to rubble. The Lagos State government says it is enforcing order through pulling down illegal and unsafe buildings to protect lives and the environment. But as the demolitions continue, accusations and counter-accusations have deepened, raising fundamental questions about fairness, planning, and accountability in Africa’s most populous city.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) explains that the exercise follows the expiration of an amnesty period on December 31, 2024. Property owners were given a window to regularize their documents, and those who failed to comply are now facing the consequences. The government insists that most of the affected buildings were erected without planning approval, on drainage channels, or on flood-prone land. In its view, the demolitions are necessary to safeguard lives and restore environmental order.
However, many residents and developers have rejected that narrative. They claim that their properties had valid approvals and that government agencies not only inspected but in some cases collected statutory payments before construction. Some accuse the state of selective enforcement and poor communication. Yet, despite these public claims, no property owner has so far made full documentation public or approached the courts to test their validity. On the other hand, the state government has not promised any independent investigation into whether some of its officials may have erred in granting or verifying approvals.
This mutual silence feeds a larger question: why are demolitions happening now? Lagos is not a new city. It has existed for centuries and has been Nigeria’s commercial capital for decades. One would imagine that such an old, well-mapped city should no longer be grappling with confusion about where buildings can or cannot stand. If houses are springing up on waterways or under power lines, who issued the permits? Who turned a blind eye during construction? If the government now calls these structures illegal, does that not also expose weaknesses within its own approval and monitoring systems?
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The situation also blurs the line between legality and enforcement. Many Lagosians now ask whether the demolitions are truly about protecting the public or about covering institutional lapses. Ironically, some who once justified the demolitions have later found their own properties marked for removal. Having lost their buildings, they now admit that those who were first affected might also have held valid documents. Such reversals have eroded confidence in the fairness and transparency of the exercise.
Urban experts argue that while building control is essential, enforcement must be guided by due process and humane execution. When demolitions occur suddenly, without adequate notice, or without visible channels for redress, they create resentment and social distrust. The absence of compensation or alternative housing arrangements compounds the hardship. In a city already struggling with housing shortages, every demolished structure represents not just a personal loss but an addition to Lagos’s housing deficit.
The challenge now is how Lagos can balance order with justice. Clearer communication is a start. The government could publish a verified list of all affected properties, the specific infractions involved, and the agencies responsible for approvals. Independent technical assessments, by professional bodies outside government, could help verify claims from both sides. Where officials are found to have approved illegal constructions, accountability should be pursued openly.
Equally, developers and homeowners must embrace transparency. Those who claim to have valid papers should be willing to release them for scrutiny. Taking legitimate cases to court could clarify the limits of government authority and strengthen public trust in the process.
Beyond enforcement, Lagos must also improve urban planning at the preventive level. Building control should begin long before foundations are laid, with accessible digital systems that clearly mark restricted zones and drainage paths. Regular public education about building regulations would help citizens understand where not to build and why.
For now, the dust from the bulldozers is gradually settling on deeper issues: trust, planning, and the rule of law. Demolitions may clear the skyline, but they also expose cracks in governance that paperwork alone cannot cover. Lagos must not only enforce order—it must also demonstrate fairness, transparency, and foresight. Only then will its rebuilding be more than the destruction of walls; it will be the reconstruction of confidence in how the city is run.
