Oluwafunbi Bello 
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government signals a major crackdown on illegal occupation of public spaces, warning that roadside traders, squatters and under-bridge operators face imminent displacement.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, says the state will enforce the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019 (as amended) to reclaim road setbacks, drainage corridors, walkways and undeveloped government land.
“The law vests the ministry with statutory responsibility for land-use management, development coordination and regulation of spatial activities across the state,” Olumide says.
He describes informal spaces as public areas not designed for permanent use but increasingly occupied without approval, posing safety, environmental and mobility risks.
The commissioner says the government has concluded plans for extensive stakeholder engagement before enforcement begins. Market associations, transport unions, community leaders and relevant agencies will be consulted to ensure cooperation and compliance.
“This intervention is not merely regulatory but strategic. It seeks to promote orderliness, enhance urban aesthetics and protect the integrity of the physical environment,” Olumide says.
He adds that effective control of informal spaces will improve traffic flow, public safety and environmental quality, aligning with Lagos’ long-term megacity vision.
The initiative targets key corridors, gateways and transitional zones where informal activities have expanded unchecked.
Olumide assures residents that the exercise will rely on professional planning tools, inter-agency collaboration and community participation, stressing transparency and legality throughout the process.
The move marks a renewed push by the Lagos government to restore urban order while balancing enforcement with stakeholder inclusion.
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