By ABDULKABIR MUHAMMED

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has condemned the recent demolition of multi-million naira structures at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, last week by the Lagos State Government. According to Mr. Olumide Oluyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, the demolition, which commenced on Thursday, 25th September, was a technical enforcement of planning laws and an attempt to sanitize the environment of the Trade Fair.

However, FENRAD has criticized this move in a statement signed and released on 4 October 2025 by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor. They have described the action as unlawful and discriminatory.

While acknowledging the provisions of Section 28 of the 1978 Land Use Acts which empowers the governor to revoke a statutory right of occupancy for overriding public interest, FENRAD alleges that the Lagos State Government did not follow due process as stated in the Land Use Acts and the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law. They allege that the Lagos State Government neither consulted with stakeholders nor arranged compensation frameworks for the affected occupants. According to them, “These procedures were entirely circumvented in this incident, amounting to a gross abuse of regulatory authority.”

Meanwhile, FENRAD has also alleged that the demolition of the Trade Fair Complex was targeted at the Igbo ethnic group of South-Eastern Nigeria as it is largely owned by the said ethnic.

Their words: "This demolition disproportionately affects traders of southeastern Nigerian origin, many of whom have built legitimate businesses over decades at the Trade Fair Complex,” they said while arguing that “The action not only undermines the right to property, fair hearing, and economic participation, but also sends a dangerous signal of ethno-economic targeting, which FENRAD warns could erode national cohesion and peace.”

However, FENRAD has demanded an independent investigation to clarify the legality of the demolition, while also calling for a moratorium on further demolition until the investigation is out. They have also demanded that the traders and popety owners be duly compensated.

They also demanded “public disclosure of the redevelopment plans, including environmental and social impact assessments”, while tasking the Lagos State Government to hold accountable public officials and agencies involved in the “illegal” demolition.

FENRAD calls on civil society organizations, human rights bodies, and the National Assembly to defend the constitutional and economic rights of all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnicity or place of residence.

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