Landlords and tenants in the Ajiwe community of Ajah, Lagos State, have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately halt the planned demolition of their properties for major infrastructure projects, until adequate compensation is provided.
The residents say they are not opposed to development, but insist that justice must be served through proper engagement and reimbursement for their losses.
The demolition, they claim, is linked to the development of the Gas Link pipeline and the Green Line Rail project—both critical components of the new Lagos Airport currently under construction in the Ibeju-Lekki axis.
However, affected property owners argue that while the projects may serve the greater public interest, they must not be implemented at the expense of citizens’ rights and livelihoods.
Over the weekend, the aggrieved residents took to the streets in protest, staging a peaceful demonstration along Abraham Adesanya Express Road. The protesters, comprising both landlords and tenants, carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Our properties cannot be demolished without compensation,” “We say no to Gas Link and Green Line Rail demolition without compensation.”
Kehinde Alakoso, spokesperson for the protesters, acknowledged the importance of the projects to public infrastructure but expressed disappointment at the government’s handling of the compensation process. “These projects are recognized under the law as serving overriding public interest, but there is a human cost that must not be ignored,” he said.
Alakoso disclosed that the community had reached out to various state officials, including Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide.
He noted that although a meeting held in April 2025 with the commissioner yielded promises of compensation, there has been no concrete follow-up or implementation since then.
“Since the commencement of pipeline laying activities in November last year, many businesses have been adversely affected. Entrances have been blocked, operations disrupted, and property owners and tenants now live in fear of sudden demolition and forced eviction,” Alakoso lamented.
He emphasized that residents acquired their properties through legitimate means and possess valid title documents, including Certificates of Occupancy.
“The law permits government to acquire property for public use, but it must also provide compensation. There must be a human face to these policies. Let the authorities clearly state how and when compensation will be paid,” he added.
Echoing this concern, Ahmed Ajanaku, General Secretary of the Odugbese Ajereongbe Chieftaincy Family and a representative of affected landlords in the community, stated that the government had made verbal commitments at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Swiss Hotel in Victoria Garden City (VGC), but those assurances had yet to be fulfilled.
The residents are therefore urging Governor Sanwo-Olu and the relevant state agencies to revisit their concerns with empathy, prioritize transparent dialogue, and ensure that compensation is paid before any further demolition activity proceeds.