Lagos State Government has given allottees of the state-owned Ojokoro Estate four months to remove illegal structures and unauthorized extensions within the estate.
The directive was disclosed in a statement posted on the official Facebook account of the Lagos State Government on Monday.
According to the state government, the move is part of ongoing efforts to restore order, safety, and the original design integrity of state-owned housing estates across Lagos.
What they are saying
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola expressed concern over the growing number of unauthorized constructions and breaches of estate regulations in Ojokoro Estate.
Speaking during a recent stakeholders’ meeting with the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association, he described the extent of the contraventions as alarming and noted that all allottees had been informed of the rules guiding their properties as outlined in the Allottee’s Guide.
- “The Lagos State Ministry of Housing has issued a strong caution to residents of State-owned housing estates against the construction of illegal structures and violations of estate regulations, reiterating its commitment to restoring order, safety, and the original design integrity of government estates,” the statement read in part.
- “The meeting agreed that all marked infractions should be removed within the next four Months.”
The ministry reiterated that allottees must adhere strictly to estate regulations to ensure compliance with approved planning standards.
Regulatory enforcement plan
The Permanent Secretary noted that the Ministry of Housing has obtained approval to remove illegal structures and commence rejuvenation efforts in Ojokoro Estate in line with the approved layout and planning standards.
- Engr. Toriola explained that the initiative is corrective rather than punitive and is aimed at restoring order, improving security, and enhancing the overall aesthetics of the estate.
- Residents have been given a four-month window to remove all marked infractions before the government begins enforcement actions.
- The Assistant General Manager of the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC), ESV. Tosin Olugbile, dismissed claims among residents that some contraventions had been approved by the agency, clarifying that no such approvals were granted.
- The Chairman of the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association, Mr. Taiwo Akinde, expressed support for the government’s restructuring plan while acknowledging the need to address existing violations.
The Ministry of Housing also stressed that the preservation of state-owned housing assets is a collective responsibility, warning that alterations inconsistent with approved building plans can compromise infrastructure, environmental balance, and public safety.
More insights
To improve housing access for residents, the Lagos State Government has introduced several initiatives, including the Rent-To-Own Programme and the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS).
- Under the Rent-To-Own Programme, first-time buyers can make a 5% down payment, take immediate possession of a housing unit, and repay the balance as monthly rent over a period of 10 years.
- Eligibility requires applicants to be Lagos residents, tax compliant, and able to show that the monthly repayment will not exceed 33% of their income.
- The Lagos HOMS, managed by the Lagos Mortgage Board, allows qualified applicants to contribute up to 30% equity while repaying the balance over 10 years.
- Monthly repayments under the scheme are capped at 30% of income, and beneficiaries are selected through a transparent draw process, with subletting strictly prohibited.
The state government has also continued to pursue partnerships with private sector institutions to expand the supply of affordable housing across the state.
What you should know
The Lagos State Government had earlier set a 2026 timeline to complete more than 14,000 housing units as part of its broader strategy to address the state’s housing deficit and improve access to affordable homes.
- In 2025, the state government disclosed that nearly 10,000 housing units had been delivered across Lagos over the past six years.
- The Lagos State Government allocated N101.6 billion to Housing and Community Amenities in its 2025 budget to support housing development and related infrastructure. The allocation for the 2026 budget had not been made public at the time of this report.
- In December 2024, the state government signed an agreement with Access Bank for the development of a major housing project in Ikorodu.
The Odonla-Odugunyan housing estate project will cover 9.98 hectares of land and feature 704 two-bedroom apartments across 44 blocks.
How can they turn an estate to a shanty. I want the government never to extend the grace period giving to them to remove the illegal structures. Should government decide to remove it for them, the cost of removal should be paid by them times two.
I don’t know how the executive members even allow that to happen in the first place. Compliance must never be compromised including house colour