The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos govt

  • 132KV transmission line delivery: Lagos govt meets with stakeholders

    132KV transmission line delivery: Lagos govt meets with stakeholders

    The Lagos government, on Friday, held a Stakeholders’ Engagement on the delivery of the 132KV transmission line and gas pipeline Right-of-Way (RoW) corridor from Ajah to Ibeju-Lekki (Eleko) Junction, as well as the gas pipeline route from Bonny Camp to Alaro City, Epe.

    The meeting was aimed at keeping the state government’s commitment to informing residents of its developmental activities and building a harmonious relationship in the state.

    The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in collaboration with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, was held at the Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

     Addressing the stakeholders from Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, and Eleko, among others, the Lagos State House of Assembly, House Committee  Chairman on Energy and Mineral Resources, Hon. Sabur Olowa,  commended the State Executive Council for prioritising infrastructure that directly impacts economic growth and job creation.

    He assured stakeholders of the Legislature’s continued support through enabling laws and oversight to ensure timely and successful project delivery.

    The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, during his interaction with the stakeholders, reiterated the State Government’s commitment to expanding power and gas infrastructure to support industrial hubs, residential developments, and commercial activities across the Lekki-Epe axis.

    Ogunleye stated that the projects aligned with the vision of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration to make Lagos a 21st-century economy driven by a reliable energy supply.

    In his address, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, highlighted the Ministry’s role in ensuring proper planning, orderly development, and strict adherence to approved layouts along the project corridors.

    Read Also: Experts call for stronger emergency newborn care in Nigeria

    Oluyinka assured stakeholders that all necessary planning approvals and development controls would be enforced to prevent distortions and safeguard public interest.

    Also speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the Governor on Mineral Resources, Abiola Olowu, gave background insights into the projects, describing them as strategic interventions designed to unlock investment opportunities and enhance energy access across the State.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, who is also the supervising Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Abdulhafiz Toriola, emphasised the importance of early and continuous stakeholder engagement in ensuring the smooth execution of critical infrastructure projects.

    He noted that the engagement was aimed at fostering collaboration, addressing concerns, and securing community buy-in for projects that are vital to Lagos State’s economic growth, energy security, and industrial development.

    The representatives of the affected communities of the projects expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for engaging them and pledged their cooperation and support for the successful implementation of the projects, while also calling for continuous dialogue throughout the execution phases.

  • Lagos govt honours 750 officers at merit award

    Lagos govt honours 750 officers at merit award

    Lagos State Government has honoured 750 public servants, including six permanent secretaries, for their commitment and decades of meritorious service to the state.

    The recognition took place yesterday at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, during the Year 2025 Long Service Merit Award Ceremony, one of the major events marking Public Service Week Celebration.

    Head of Service (HoS) Mr. Bode Agoro said the initiative, which had been sustained for over two decades, was designed to recognise and reward diligence, loyalty and commitment among public servants.

    “This programme, which has been consistently organised for over 20 years, is aimed at recognising and rewarding diligence, commitment and loyalty among public servants in Lagos State.

    “Public servants deserve to be celebrated and appreciated for their long-term dedication to supporting good governance,” he said.

    Agoro said the long service awards not only honoured those who had served for over 30 years, but also motivated other officers to remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence and efficient service delivery.

    “While congratulating the proud recipients of today’s awards, I urge you not to rest on your oars. Continue to exhibit the high sense of responsibility, commitment to duty and loyalty that earned you this recognition,” he said.

    Agoro encouraged public officers to embrace technological advancement and continuous learning, to meet the evolving demands of governance.

    “The changing nature of public policy and technological innovations requires higher levels of skills and competences. As you remain dedicated to your duties, also focus on personal development and take advantage of the latest ICT tools to improve yourselves,” he said.

    Read Also: SROL champions mining for bilateral growth at Nigeria–South Africa forum

    The HoS said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration remained committed to improving workers’ welfare and providing a conducive environment for optimal performance.

    “Government will continue to prioritise workers’ welfare and create the right atmosphere for the attainment of public policy objectives,” he said.

    Agoro urged awardees and other officers to continue upholding the values of dedication, integrity and professionalism that defined Lagos State Public Service.

    “Let us celebrate in moderation and continue to uphold the spirit of excellence that defines Lagos State Public Service,” he said.

  • Lagos Govt defends demolitions at International Trade Fair

    Lagos Govt defends demolitions at International Trade Fair

    Sequel to growing criticisms that greeted the demolition of over nine plazas at the International Trade Fair complex,the Lagos State Government has responded by reaffirming its mandate to enforce physical planning laws within its jurisdiction, including the Trade fair Complex in Ojo.

    The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, said that the Lagos State’s position was backed by the Supreme Court judgment of 2003 and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law 2019  as amended, which empower the state to regulate and enforce physical planning laws.

    The commissioner stated that the location of the Trade Fair Complex on Federal Government land did not exempt developers from obtaining necessary planning permits from the Lagos State Government or adhering to the State physical planning laws.

    “We have acted decisively to halt further development of unapproved and unsafe buildings in the Complex as a livable, organised, orderly and sustainable built environment is crucial to achieving our T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda “, he said.

    He reiterated that the Trade Fair Complex had a history of non-compliance with building regulations and had refused to cooperate with the efforts to bring it into voluntary compliance despite several warnings, including the request in November 2023 for building constructions within the area to be regularised with the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

    This enforcement exercise is part of the State Government’s regular efforts to promote safety, livability, and well-being across the State, and not just within the Trade Fair Complex.

    Last week Thursday the Lagos State Government  began pulling down what it referred  to as illegal and unsafe buildings at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo. Officials say the move is part of a wider push to restore order and enforce physical planning laws.

    The State Government Governor confirmed the exercise and explained that the operation targeted buildings without approval, defective structures, and those blocking road setbacks or drainage channels.

     “The state can’t sit back while unapproved developments endanger lives and obstruct critical infrastructure”.

    The demolition was 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. Members of the State House of Assembly, the Office of Infrastructure, and security operatives were also present to provide support.

    Read Also: Tinubu, dignitaries grace church service to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary

    Bulldozers rolled through the complex, flattening marked buildings, while shop owners and traders looked on with concern over how their businesses would be affected.

    Officials stressed that the state has repeatedly warned against putting up structures without permits or blocking drainages practices they say fuel flooding, traffic jams and urban disorder across Lagos.

    This action comes after the recent expiration of a government amnesty programme that allowed owners of unapproved buildings to regularise them without penalty. With that deadline now over, LASBCA has stepped up demolitions in areas where illegal structures are unsafe or obstruct public infrastructure.

    Past demolitions have, however, sparked criticism from residents who complained of losing homes or businesses without enough notice. In Oworonshoki, for instance, many said they were not given sufficient time to move or protect their belongings before bulldozers arrived.

    The government insists the enforcement drive is necessary to safeguard lives and improve order in an already congested city.

    One of the affected Traders whose plaza was brought down, Chief Udochukwu Uche said the demolition is pure punishment and a way of silencing opposition.

    He said the exercise will have effect on the Traders December sales which is gathering momentum. He advised traders in Ladipo and others occupied mainly by people from a particular region of the country to brace up and probably have a plan ‘b’ because the same bulldozers Accord to him will eventually get to them under the usual flimsy excuse of building plan infractions etc.

  • Oworonshoki demolition: Residents ignored all warnings – Lagos Govt

    Oworonshoki demolition: Residents ignored all warnings – Lagos Govt

    The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)  says its removal of shanties and other unapproved buildings at Oworonshoki followed due process as the residents ignored all warnings.

    Mr Gbolahan Oki, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State,  told newsmen during an interaction in Lagos on Thursday evening that the affected structures had been served demolition notices.

    He said that the residents were given enough time to obtain planning permits during the state government’s amnesty programme for unapproved buildings.

    According to him, the amnesty began with a 90-day window from May 2024 to July 2024, and  was extended to October 2024 and finally to December 2024.

    Oki said: “Only two or three persons in that community took advantage of the amnesty, and those buildings were not demolished. Others ignored all warnings.”

    He added that LASBCA officials, together with community leaders and traditional leaders, engaged the residents through meetings and sensitisation before the demolition.

    Oki said that most of the demolished buildings were distressed, blocking drainage channels and posing security threats.

    He added that some tilted backwards and had visible cracks or were only patched with paint to look safe.

    “The government cannot allow people to live in houses that are not fit for habitation.

    “We are now insisting that every property in Lagos must have a certificate of fitness for habitation,” he said.

    According to the permanent secretary, obtaining a planning permit now  takes  10 days to 15 days once the necessary documents are submitted.

    He noted that the office issuing the permit had been decentralised to all local government areas.

    Read Also: Lagos Govt begins 2026 budget consultations, seeks citizens’ input

    The official  said that the demolitions were not carried out in secret.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a three-minute video showing marked buildings and community meetings at Oworonshoki was presented during the interaction.

    Oki said that the demolition was necessary to safeguard lives, improve drainage and enhance security in the area.

    NAN recalls that the Lagos State Government granted a three-phase amnesty between May 2024 and December 2024 for owners of unapproved buildings to regularise their documents.

    During the period, 18,489 applications were submitted and 8,856 planning permits were issued.

    (NAN)

  • 176 estates: Diasporan subscribers demand refund from developers

    176 estates: Diasporan subscribers demand refund from developers

    • International real estate practitioners knock Lagos Govt

    The Nigerian chapter of the International Real Estate Federation has frowned at the description of 176 estates in Lagos by the state government as “illegal”.

    It said the action of the state’s Physical Planning and Urban Development Ministry had not only caused many Diasporan subscribers to the estates to demand a refund of their money from their developers.

    The 176 estates are predominantly located in the Eti-Osa, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe axis of the state.

     The government, which said the estates were deemed illegal due to their failure to obtain layout approvals, gave the developers 21 days to regularise their documents or risk their closure.

    In a statement yesterday, FIABCI Nigeria President Akin Opatola said it was unfortunate that the government, whose responsibility is to save lives and property, announced a list that sent panic and fear into the market, thereby endangering people’s investment

    He said the government ought to have convened a meeting with the developers and other players in the real estate sector instead of endangering people’s investment.

    Opatola added that the ministry should have first arranged the list of the 176 estates in a tabular form, showing the level of compliance with the layout approval guidelines by the developers.  

    Read Also: Shettima commissions FGs ultra-modern ICT hub, two state aircraft in Cross River

    “It would have been in a tabular form, like 30 of these 176 estates have reached 70 per cent regularisation of their layout and survey. Probably in a month, the government will come out with another list that another number of developers have met the mark,” he said.

    According to him, there is “no doubt there will be some bad egg developers”.

    The FIABCI president argued that a phased categorisation of the developers would have stabilised the real estate sector, unlike what has happened, where Diasporans and other subscribers were put in panic. 

    Director of Strategy, Female Lawyers in Real Estate, Adaku Ochuma, noted that the government’s use of “illegal” could mean deviation from initial approval, layout amendment, and not habitable for the purpose.

    She said: “The government should have used a better term. Calling the estates illegal didn’t send the right message to the real estate ecosystem.

    “Illegal means the developers don’t own the structures where they are and, therefore, are not fit to be in business. A better strategy would have been something like putting out a message that the government would like to meet with the developer of the affected estates.”

  • Non-compliance responsible for building collapse, says Lagos govt

    Non-compliance responsible for building collapse, says Lagos govt

    • Death toll hits five
    • Husband dead, wife, child unhurt

    Lagos State Government has blamed non-compliance on materials testing for the collapse of the three-storey building at 10 Oremeta Street, Ojodu Berger on Saturday.

    The old building, which housed a popular restaurant known as EqualRights, caved in around 8:30am, trapping many people, including women and children.

    General Manager,  Materials Testing Laboratory Olayinka Abdul, an engineer, made this known at the collapsed building site yesterday.

    According to him, the disaster would have been prevented if rigorous materials testing was adhered to.

     “LSMTL has invested in state-of-the-art equipment and trained personnel to conduct these tests with precision and accuracy. Our laboratories are equipped to handle a wide range of tests, and we work with construction companies, engineers, and architects to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

    “We implore residents to conduct a five-assessment to standing buildings to check for their structural integrity in averting these disasters.

    Meanwhile emergency responders yesterday said the death toll from the collapsed building had risen to five with 15 rescued.

    The figures, which were released by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service before 8am, followed conflicting numbers from the major agencies involved in the rescue the previous day.

    According to NEMA, the deceased persons included three women and two men while the 15 who sustained injuries were six females and nine males.

    Read Also: Advertising tribunal issues bench warrant against Aero Contractors’ boss, Sanusi

    At the scene of the incident yesterday, rescuers battled to prevent a secondary disaster after the fear of a gas leak caused apprehension in the neighbourhood.

    It was gathered that excavation  were suspended for two hours to enable the firefighters to trace the source of the leakage to prevent an explosion.

    One of the rescued victims who was taken to the Trauma Centre in Alausa, said the building collapsed barely five minutes after he entered the premises.

    Residents claimed a man who brought his family for breakfast and dashed to his car parked in the compound got trapped in the vehicle.

    “The man was brought out dead.The building collapsed on him in the vehicle. He left his family in the restaurant to get something from his car but didn’t return alive,” The Nation learnt.

    Another man who claimed to be a regular customer at the restaurant said he missed going there Saturday morning for breakfast because he had rushed to the bus stop to pick a parcel.

    “By the time I returned, the entire place was in disarray. If I had not gone to the bus stop to pick up something, I would have been there at the time the building collapsed,” said the man who gave his name as Saheed.

    The Nation gathered that the restaurant was usually a beehive and a favourite for a majority of the people in the area.

    “Scores of people gather here to eat every time. Sometimes, you could have more than 50 people. They have a lot of customers because the restaurant is popular in Berger. Then, during live matches, more people even come to watch while drinking,” said a resident.

    Meanwhile, rescuers continued operations at the scene yesterday following fears that more people could still be buried in the rubble.

    NEMA said: “Upon arrival, responders found a three-storey building with a busy restaurant on the ground floor had collapsed. The incident, which occurred at approximately 8:32 am, reportedly trapped several individuals under the debris.

    “NEMA, in collaboration with other emergency response agencies and local volunteers, launched a search and rescue operation using both light and heavy-duty equipment.

    “Rescue efforts continued into the early hours of Sunday, April 20, 2025, resulting in the rescue of 15 individuals and the recovery of five bodies, bringing the total number of persons accounted for to 20.

    “After a brief two-hour pause, operations resumed following reports that one person may still be missing.”

  • Lagos govt, France to collaborate across all sectors

    Lagos govt, France to collaborate across all sectors

    Lagos State will deepen collaboration with France across sectors, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said.

    He disclosed this on his X handle after receiving the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier.

    “Today, I welcomed Marc Fonbaustier, the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, during a courtesy visit to Lagos House, Marina,” the governor wrote.

    Read Also: Lagos govt launches Eko learners’ support for WAEC, NECO candidates 

    He described the meeting as an opportunity to discuss areas of mutual interest and strengthen ties.

    “This meeting allowed us to explore potential collaboration across various sectors. I also shared insights into our state’s development initiatives and the opportunities available.”

  • Lagos govt empowers rural youths with digital skills

    Lagos govt empowers rural youths with digital skills

    The Lagos state government has taken a significant step towards empowering rural youths by providing them with digital skills training.

    This initiative is part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which aims to build a 21st-century economy and promote inclusiveness.

    A recent one-day training session was held at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat, where youths from the Ikorodu rural division learned valuable digital skills.

    The skills will enable them to develop their entrepreneurial abilities, promote local businesses, and access new opportunities in the digital economy.

    The training covered essential digital skills, including niche carving, branding, blog creation, and online marketing.

    Acquiring these skills will better equip rural youths to compete in the global digital economy and contribute to the growth and development of their communities.

    Read Also: Egypt waives visa for Nigerian diplomats in new partnership agreement 

    The statement reads: Lagos state government: “LASG trains rural community youths on digital skills.

    “In line with governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda to build a 21st-century Economy while ensuring the inclusiveness of the youths from the rural communities of Lagos State, the Centre for Rural Development (CERUD) has trained some youths from Ikorodu rural division on digital skills to prepare them for 21st-century challenges.

    “The one-day training, which took place recently at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat, exposed the participants to various digital skills such as Niche Carving, Branding, Blog Creation, and Online marketing. This enables them to advertise their products, services, and talents and develop their entrepreneurial skill.”

  • Tourism: Lagos Govt opens 2025 in style, aims new records

    Tourism: Lagos Govt opens 2025 in style, aims new records

    Concerned by the need to double contributions from tourism to Lagos State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) beyond previous years records, the State Government has opened Year 2025 in a spectacular style, hosting Nigerians from the diaspora and lovers of Lagos to unforgettable events that exposed them to the cultural heritage and tourism sites across the state.

    Swapping the norm of holding events at a centralized location for a roadshow for the first time in the state, further exposed the Diasporans and visitors from other states, who came to celebrate the Yuletide and the new year in Lagos, to the state’s beauty.

    The roadshow themed “Lagos Tourism is Rising”, gave guests opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled ride with music, dance, and conversations as the double-decker tour bus, convoys of motorbikes, and the beautiful Lagos Ride vehicles moves around.

    During the tour, everyone on the ride had a close feel of the state as the buses and bikers displayed through landmark axis in Ikoyi, Lekki, Lagos Island, and its environs. 

    With a touring initiative that allowed the guests to explore the beauty of the city, the group made stops at the JRandle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History as well as the Nike Art Gallery, and other strategic locations where they got more knowledge on Lagos than they had expected.

    Read Also: Gunmen from Nigeria kill five Cameroonian soldiers, says MP

    The event, which was the first and part of the new initiative the government is embarking upon in 2025 to further expose the world to beauty of Lagos, was later concluded with a delightful dinner where everyone tasted the best of cuisine from the centre of excellence.

    The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Art, and Culture, Idris Aregbe, who spoke on the initiative, said that the government aims to double the achievements recorded in 2024 in the current year without lowering standards.

    To achieve this, Aregbe noted that the government under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aimed to do things better than the previous years particularly as it concerns tourism contribution to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while promoting the Lagos cultural heritage.

    The Special Adviser added that this formed part of the reasons the roadshow was put together to give visitors an unforgettable sweet experience.

    Aside from that, the governor’s aide stressed that he created this initiative to appreciate Nigerians in diaspora and lovers of Lagos across the globe for choosing the city as their preferred business and holiday destination. 

    Aregbe added that many programs of this magnitude would be introduced under the current administration to promote the Lagos cultural heritage and strengthen the bond between the diaspora community and Lagosians. 

    According to him: It was an opportunity for all to admire scenic views, and learn as well as appreciate our rich cultural heritage. 

    Aregbe stated that this will pave the way for further collaboration as the government recognizes the contribution of the diaspora community to the festivities and Lagos economic development. 

    While underscoring the primary aim of this city tour initiative, the Special Adviser announced that it will take place monthly, to give visitors reasons to pick Lagos ahead of other destinations.

    He said the tour will be held on both land and water, reaffirming his intention to showcase Lagos and its growing transportation and tourism to the world. 

    Some dignitaries who attended the event included Khadijat Omotayo, Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs, and Oluwatoyin Atekoja, Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Tourism. Also in attendance was Nike Davies-Okundaye, Femi Adebayo, DJ Six7even, DJ DSF, Timi Agbaje, Kelvin Manpower, Hannah Montana, Former Miss Universe Nigeria, among others.

  • Lagos Govt trains public toilet operators on improved sanitation practices

    Lagos Govt trains public toilet operators on improved sanitation practices

    The Lagos state government has trained and rallied public toilet operators on new sanitation techniques and operations for efficient service delivery.

    Special adviser to the governor on the environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the initiative formed part of efforts to eradicate open defecation and other environmental infractions, reduce vulnerability to disease outbreaks, and promote social security across the metropolis.

    According to Akodu, the government recognises the crucial role of janitors and public toilet operators, and the need to build capacity to meet the challenges of service delivery in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda of this administration.

    He added that the training was to inculcate best practices in toilet management, with a focus on ensuring Nigeria is open-defecation-free by 2025.

    The governor’s aide recalled that the government kicked off the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign’ in 2021, which has since been taken to the grassroots and launched in 11 local government areas across the state. This is in addition to regular sanitation advocacy programmes done in markets and communities across the state.

    Read Also: Lagos taskforce cracks down on miscreants along Lekki-Epe expressway

    He added: “The government is determined to deal decisively with anyone engaging in open defecation in accordance with the state’s extant laws. The government will not use billions to build infrastructure and some people will mess it up. Lagos has taken it upon itself to recruit officers that will man the different areas, especially the Berger area so that it will not degenerate.

    “Enforcers have started arresting people who defecate on the median along the Lagos / Ibadan Expressway (Lagos Axis), and they will be prosecuted accordingly, I hope this will deter other culprits.

    “I also appeal to the Ogun state government to take it from where Lagos stopped, and do same on enforcement so that open defecation will be brought to the barest minimal.”

    Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji noted that the government is committed and would continue to ensure good working conditions for toilet operators and janitors.

    Gaji, represented by the Director of Sanitation Services, Dr. Hassan Sanuth, said topics addressed at the workshop focused on promoting clean, safe, and hygienic toilet facilities – the role of government and proper hygiene practices and sanitation techniques for public operators and janitors.