Residents and property owners in the Ajiwe community of Ajah, Lagos State, have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to suspend the planned demolition of their buildings until adequate compensation is provided.
They said their properties have been marked for removal to pave the way for the Gas Link pipeline and the Green Line Rail, both critical components of the ongoing Lagos Airport development project in Ibeju Lekki.
Over the weekend, affected landlords and tenants took to the Abraham Adesanya expressway to stage a peaceful protest. They carried placards with inscriptions such as: “We say no to Gas Link and Green Line Rail projects demolition of our properties without Compensation,” “Our properties cannot be demolished without Compensation,” and “Compensate us.”
Kehinde Alakoso, who spoke on behalf of the demonstrators, acknowledged the public interest nature of the infrastructure but emphasized the need to address the social consequences.
“We have written to the state governor, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, and other relevant people in the state. Despite these communications and a meeting with the commissioner in April 2025 where compensation assurances were given, no concrete plans have materialized,” he said.
He decried the hardship brought by the project since work commenced last November, noting that many businesses have suffered due to blocked entrances, leaving residents anxious.
“Since pipeline laying started last November, they have blocked entrances to a lot of businesses. These businesses are crumbling and property owners and tenants are living in fear of the unknown and incursion onto their properties,” Alakoso added.
He further argued that their demands are legally grounded, explaining that the properties were acquired legitimately♠ and come with proper documentation.
“The law says you can publicly acquire people’s property, but you should make provision for compensation. They must put a human face to what they are doing; let us know how you want to compensate the people.”
Also speaking, Ahmed Ajanaku, General Secretary of the Odugbese Ajereongbe Chieftaincy family and a representative of the Ajiwe landlords, expressed disappointment that promises made at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Swiss Hotel, Victoria Garden City (VGC), were not fulfilled.
Prince Olanshile Mogaji, who represented tenants at Top Notch Plaza, which has existed since 2004, urged the government to act with fairness and legality.
“We don’t have what it takes to fight the government. We are only saying the government should, as a matter of principle, follow the due process,” he said, insisting that they had secured all necessary approvals and Certificates of Occupancy.
