Lagos Cracks Down: 39 Buildings Set for Demolition in Lekki

 

The Lagos State Government is taking decisive action to protect the Ikota Riverbank and restore environmental order in Eti-Osa, as 39 luxury properties across two high-end Lekki estates , Oral Extension and Westend, Mega Mond Estate have been marked for demolition due to illegal encroachment on the Right of Way (RoW) of the river.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, led the charge on Thursday, May 8, as bulldozers rolled into the estates to begin dismantling fences and notifying residents. The breakdown? 20 buildings are slated for total demolition, 8 will undergo partial removal, and 13 structures in Westend Estate face complete demolition.

The move follows a flood of petitions and environmental complaints submitted by residents and concerned stakeholders. Investigations revealed that several developers had illegally pushed back the river’s natural boundaries, narrowing the waterway and posing serious flooding risks to the entire Lekki corridor.

“While we were trying to find a balanced solution that wouldn't displace too many families, some developers were still altering the river’s path and continuing construction,” Wahab said during a press briefing.

Using digital assessment tools, the state mapped the river’s original RoW and found that dozens of properties had encroached dangerously into the floodplain. Wahab confirmed that some developers even sold off illegally reclaimed land, leaving unsuspecting families vulnerable to demolition.

Occupants of the affected buildings have received indefinite quit notices, with Wahab urging them to relocate immediately to avoid loss of property and hardship.

“We recognize these are families with children and belongings. That’s why we’re giving time for evacuation,” he added.

The commissioner emphasized the state’s zero tolerance for illegal reclamation, especially without Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals. Reclamation activities seen at Westend Estate were described as “beyond approved limits.”

Wahab also sounded a stern warning to real estate developers who continue to sell land on unauthorized sites and issue titles that have no legal standing.

“This is a wake-up call for all potential buyers. Always verify land titles and ask for drainage clearance and EIA certificates. Otherwise, you risk investing in a ticking time bomb,” he cautioned.