The Lagos State Government has declared that enforcement of physical planning regulations within the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo is fully within its jurisdiction, despite the site being located on Federal Government land.
Commissioner for Physical Planning, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, said the state’s authority is backed by a 2003 Supreme Court judgment and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2019 (as amended), which empower Lagos to regulate and enforce physical planning laws.
He stressed that developers within the complex are not exempt from obtaining planning permits or complying with the state’s physical planning regulations.
“We have acted decisively to halt further development of unapproved and unsafe buildings in the complex, as a livable, organised, orderly and sustainable built environment is crucial to achieving our T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda,” Olumide said.
The commissioner noted that the Trade Fair Complex has a long history of non-compliance, pointing out that developers had ignored repeated warnings, including a November 2023 directive for all buildings within the complex to be regularised with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
According to him, the current enforcement exercise is part of routine government action aimed at promoting safety, livability, and the well-being of residents across Lagos, not just within the Trade Fair Complex.
The clarification follows the recent demolition of illegal structures at the complex, which has drawn widespread public reactions.