The Lagos State Ministry of Housing has warned residents of state-owned housing estates against constructing illegal structures or violating estate regulations, as part of efforts to restore order and preserve the original design of government estates.
The warning was issued by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abdulhafis Toriola, during a stakeholders’ meeting with the executives of the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association in Meiran.
The meeting was held at the ministry’s conference room at the Alausa Secretariat.
Toriola expressed concern over what he described as the deteriorating condition of Ojokoro Estate, citing widespread unauthorised extensions and illegal developments.
He said the scale of the violations became evident during a recent visit to the estate.
“The ministry will not fold its arms and allow the distortion of the original master plan of any state-owned estate,” he said.
According to him, all property allottees were informed of the rules guiding their homes before allocation, as stated in the Allottee’s Guide, warning that breaches would attract sanctions.
During the meeting, it was agreed that all marked illegal structures within the estate should be removed within four months.
Toriola said the ministry had secured the necessary approval to remove illegal developments and begin rejuvenation work in line with the approved layout and planning standards.
He said the move was aimed at restoring order, improving security and enhancing the estate’s appearance rather than punishing residents.
Claims by some residents that approvals for the developments were granted by the Lagos Building Investment Company were dismissed.
An official of the company, Tosin Olugbile, said no such approvals had been issued.
The chairman of the residents’ association, Taiwo Akinde, expressed concern about the spread of illegal structures in the estate and said the association supported the government’s plan to restore order.
Officials of the ministry also attended the association’s general meeting held on 28 February 2026 to inform residents about the government’s position and the need to comply with estate regulations.
Toriola said maintaining state-owned housing estates was a shared responsibility, warning that alterations that violate approved plans could compromise infrastructure, environmental balance and public safety.
The Lagos government has urged residents across its housing estates to comply with regulations, saying it would enforce corrective measures to protect public assets and maintain the integrity of planned communities.
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