The Lagos State Government has warned residents of state-owned housing estates against constructing illegal structures or violating allotment regulations, stating that such actions distort estate layouts and pose safety risks.
The warning was issued in a statement released on Monday following a stakeholders’ meeting at the Ministry of Housing in Alausa, Ikeja, with executives of the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association in Meiran.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Abdulhafis Toriola, expressed concern over the growing number of unauthorised extensions and developments within the estate, describing the situation as alarming.
“The Ministry will not fold its arms and allow the distortion of the original master plan of any State-owned estate,” Toriola said.
He reminded residents that allottees were informed of the rules governing their properties at the time of allocation, as contained in the Allottee’s Guide, warning that violations would attract sanctions.
“All allottees were duly informed of the rules and regulations governing their properties before allocation. Any breach of these provisions will attract appropriate sanctions,” he said.
Toriola disclosed that residents who have already been issued notices over infractions must remove illegal structures within four months. He added that the ministry has obtained approval to begin enforcement in order to restore estates to their approved layouts.
“The objective is not punitive but corrective, aimed at restoring order, improving security, and enhancing the overall aesthetics of the estate,” he explained.
Addressing claims that some of the alterations were allegedly approved by the Lagos Building Investment Company (LBIC), the agency’s Assistant General Manager, ESV Tosin Olugbile, dismissed the allegation, stating that no such approvals were granted.
Chairman of the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association, Taiwo Akinde, acknowledged the proliferation of illegal structures and expressed support for the government’s restructuring efforts.
The ministry also noted that its monitoring and compliance team attended the estate’s general meeting on February 28, 2026, where residents were sensitised on the need to comply with estate regulations.
Toriola emphasised that preserving government housing assets requires collective responsibility, warning that unauthorised alterations could threaten infrastructure integrity, environmental balance, and public safety.
“State-owned housing estates are planned communities developed to specific standards. Any alteration inconsistent with approved plans compromises infrastructure integrity, environmental balance, and public safety,” he added.
The state government urged residents across all government-owned housing estates in Lagos to comply with existing regulations, warning that enforcement measures would be taken where necessary to protect public assets.
