Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed the immediate removal of all shanties, illegal structures, and unauthorized developments located along the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, issuing a 72-hour ultimatum to occupants to vacate the area before the commencement of a large-scale enforcement operation.
The governor announced the directive on Saturday after participating in the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise held in Surulere Local Government Area. He was accompanied by the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, as government officials monitored compliance with environmental sanitation regulations and inspected various parts of the metropolis.
Addressing journalists after the exercise, Sanwo-Olu said the state government would begin a comprehensive clearance operation next week, targeting all illegal structures situated along the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway from Orile-Iganmu to Okokomaiko.
According to the governor, the operation is part of the government’s broader efforts to restore order, protect critical public infrastructure, and preserve the aesthetics and functionality of one of Lagos State’s most important transportation corridors.
“This is the final notice to everyone occupying the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. From next week, we are coming to clear the entire median. Everything there will go. Every illegal structure will be removed,” Sanwo-Olu declared.
He emphasized that the highway median was never designed for commercial activities, residential settlements, or any form of informal development, stressing that continued occupation of the space constitutes an abuse of public infrastructure.
The governor maintained that the state government would no longer tolerate the conversion of road medians into makeshift markets, business premises, or residential camps, warning that all unauthorized structures would be demolished during the enforcement exercise.
“It is not meant to be a market. It is not meant to be a place where people erect structures. It is a highway median, and we must preserve it, especially considering the huge public investment on that corridor,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the Lagos-Badagry Expressway is a strategic transport route and one of the major entry points into Nigeria’s commercial capital. He explained that the road, which has undergone significant expansion into a modern 10-lane highway, represents a substantial investment of public funds and must be safeguarded from encroachment and environmental degradation.
According to him, allowing illegal structures to flourish along the expressway undermines the government’s urban renewal efforts and poses environmental, safety, and security concerns.
The governor stressed that the state administration is committed to protecting public assets and ensuring that major highways remain free from unauthorized occupation that could obstruct traffic, compromise road safety, or diminish the city’s image.
“I will not fold my arms and allow them to turn that international gateway into a slum. This is a notice that I am giving officially to everybody on that corridor. We are starting next week, and we are going to deploy thousands of men there,” he stated.
Sanwo-Olu urged those affected by the directive to remove their belongings and vacate the corridor within the stipulated 72-hour period to avoid losing their property during the demolition exercise.
The planned operation is expected to involve multiple government agencies responsible for environmental management, urban planning, law enforcement, and traffic control to ensure a smooth and coordinated clearance of the affected areas.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and maintaining public infrastructure across Lagos State, adding that residents must support government efforts by complying with regulations designed to promote a cleaner, safer, and more orderly environment.
He also called on Lagos residents to take greater responsibility for protecting public facilities and preserving the state’s infrastructure, noting that sustainable urban development requires collective cooperation between government and citizens.
The planned demolition forms part of the Lagos State Government’s ongoing urban renewal and environmental sanitation initiatives aimed at eliminating illegal developments, improving public safety, and enhancing the overall appearance of the state. With the 72-hour notice now in effect, enforcement teams are expected to begin the large-scale clearance operation along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway next week.
