Demolition Looms: Lagos Govt to Tear Down Illegal Buildings on Banana Island!

By Achimi Muktar

The Lagos State Government has issued a final warning: illegal buildings on Banana Island are set for demolition. Beginning Monday, February 17, 2025, officials will start marking unauthorized structures, giving property owners a two-week window to provide valid documents—or risk losing their investments.

The sweeping crackdown, spearheaded by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), aims to eliminate safety hazards, enforce building regulations, and restore order in one of Nigeria’s most exclusive neighborhoods.

At a high-stakes stakeholders’ meeting on Banana Island, LASBCA General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, made it clear that the government will not back down.

“From Monday to Friday next week, officials will come and mark the buildings. The following week, we will give you two weeks to get your documents ready. After that, I am going to pull everything down,” Oki declared.

Properties built under high-tension power lines, within restricted shoreline areas, or in violation of urban planning laws will be among the first to go. The demolition follows similar government actions in areas like Abule Egba, Iya Niba, and Iyana Isheri, where illegal structures were removed.

Banana Island, a symbol of luxury and high-end living, has seen a surge in illegal developments, many of which violate planning laws and pose serious environmental and safety risks.

Dr. Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Planning Matters, stressed that the state government holds absolute authority over land use, as outlined in the Land Use Act.

He revealed that unauthorized land reclamation and sand-filling have disrupted Banana Island’s original urban plan, forcing the government to intervene. While a 150-metre setback from the shoreline was initially mandated, the state later relaxed it to 100 metres—but many developers still refused to comply.

“This is not about targeting property owners; it’s about restoring order and ensuring safety,” Olajide clarified.

With the government’s deadline fast approaching, homeowners on Banana Island are scrambling to secure approvals and avoid demolition.

Abidemi Sonaike, Chairman of the Banana Island Association, welcomed the enforcement, stating that proper urban planning is crucial for maintaining the estate’s prestige and safety.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has set up a special task force led by Olalekan Sodeinde, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, to tackle complaints and oversee the demolition process.

“The unregulated construction boom has led to serious environmental degradation in Banana Island. We are taking firm action to restore its integrity,” Sodeinde assured.

As the government prepares to tear down illegal buildings, property owners have two choices: provide valid documents or lose their investments. The message from LASBCA is clear—compliance is not optional.

With bulldozers set to roll in, the question remains: How many luxury properties will survive the purge?