By Rasheeda Hamidu
The Lagos State Government said that it demolished 349 distressed buildings across the state and detected 27,233 building infractions through enforcement operations aimed at reducing structural collapse and improving urban safety on Wednesday.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday during the 2026 ministerial press briefing organised by the Lagos State Government in Alausa, Ikeja, where officials of the Office of e-GIS and Urban Development presented updates on regulatory and enforcement activities in the built environment.
Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, stated that the demolitions formed part of measures introduced to address unsafe structures and ensure compliance with Lagos building regulations.
Babatunde explained that the enforcement operations were carried out through the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), which oversees monitoring, inspection and removal of defective structures across the state.
According to Babatunde, government agencies detected 27,233 infractions linked to construction activities and physical development violations during enforcement exercises conducted across Lagos.
The special adviser reported that LASBCA also carried out 2,232 stage inspections on buildings under construction to ensure compliance with approved standards and structural regulations.
Babatunde stated that the agency issued 215 certificates of completion and fitness for habitation after conducting inspections on completed structures that met regulatory requirements.
According to the briefing, LASBCA further identified 159 buildings with verified insurance policies through its insurance compliance operations within the review period.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency explained on its official platform that its statutory responsibilities include monitoring construction activities, removing distressed structures and enforcing building regulations to protect lives and property.
General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, had previously stated in official enforcement notices that distressed buildings identified by the agency often showed visible structural defects including cracks, bulging walls, exposed reinforcements, sinking and tilting.
Oki explained that owners of defective structures were required to conduct Non-Destructive Tests to determine structural stability before renovation, re-engineering or demolition decisions were taken.
NatureNews tracks urban resilience, building safety and environmental planning as part of its coverage of sustainable cities, disaster risk reduction and climate-resilient infrastructure across Nigeria and Africa.
