Lagos to Demolish Buildings Under High-Tension Lines: What Property Owners Must Know

By Mo. Akeke

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed a major urban-development stance: all buildings and structures erected under high-tension power lines across the state will be removed.

This announcement, made during an inspection tour around the Third Mainland Bridge corridor, signals a renewed wave of enforcement aimed at clearing restricted zones, reducing safety risks, and restoring urban order.

For anyone living, renting, buying, or investing in Lagos, this story is more than government talk. It affects safety, legality, and long-term property value.



During an official inspection from Oworonshoki to Adekunle and the Makoko/Ebute-Meta axis, Lagos State Government officials discovered multiple shanties and illegal structures built beneath high-tension power lines and inside the 50-metre legally required right-of-way.

Key officials present included:

  • Olajide Babatunde – Special Adviser to the Governor on Electronic Geographic Information System (eGIS) and Urban Development

  • Gbolahan Oki – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development

  • The leadership of LASURA (Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency)

Their message was clear:
Lagos will no longer tolerate habitation or commercial activity under high-tension transmission lines.

Officials emphasized the severe risk to human life. If anything happens, such as wires snapping or electrical faults, the government bears the blame. The state, therefore, intends to act before disaster occurs. This is not a sudden decision.

Earlier in 2025, the government gave a 14-day ultimatum through the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for residents to vacate power-line corridors. Many did not comply.

The December inspection signals that enforcement will now follow.

“High-tension lines are danger zones, no one is permitted to live or trade directly under them. These structures pose immediate risks to lives and will not be allowed to remain,” a senior official of the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning reportedly said during the enforcement announcement.

Understanding the Law: Why Buildings Under Power Lines Are Illegal

Lagos has long-standing planning regulations that prohibit construction under or around high-tension transmission lines. These laws exist for three reasons:

1. Safety

High-voltage power lines can:

  • cause electrocution

  • trigger structural fires

  • damage property during storms

  • sag or collapse unexpectedly

People living or working beneath them are at continuous risk.

2. Infrastructure Access

Electric utilities require open access to maintain, repair, or upgrade transmission lines. Illegal structures block this access.

3. Urban Planning & Environmental Order

Unregulated shanties and buildings in restricted zones strain drainage, transportation networks, and existing infrastructure.

The government is now enforcing what has always been the law. The difference is urgency.


Why This Matters for Lagos Real Estate

1. Property Buyers Must Be More Cautious

Many low-cost rentals and informal housing units are located beneath power lines or within right-of-way corridors. Buyers often don’t realize the building is illegal until a notice arrives.

This news should push buyers to:

  • verify property titles

  • check GIS maps

  • confirm building approval

  • confirm the distance from transmission lines and pipelines

2. Landlords in High-Risk Zones Face Financial Loss

Landlords with illegal structures may lose:

  • the building

  • rental income

  • sunk cost of renovations

  • potential compensation (often none for illegal structures)

It underscores the importance of complying with building regulations from day one.

3. Developers Working Legally Gain Advantage

With the state removing unsafe structures, real estate developers who follow regulations will benefit from:

  • rising demand for compliant housing

  • increased trust from renters and investors

  • smoother approval processes

4. Pressure Will Increase on Informal Communities

Areas like Makoko, Ebute-Meta, Oworonshoki, and under-bridge communities are heavily populated by low-income residents. Demolitions in these areas will likely worsen:

  • overcrowding in the remaining slums

  • pressure on affordable housing

  • social tension

  • displacement challenges

Lagos’s housing deficit (estimated at 2–3 million) means displaced families often have nowhere formal to go.

5. Markets Near Cleared Zones May Experience Value Shifts

While demolitions are disruptive, once the area is cleared and regulated, nearby neighborhoods sometimes experience:

  • increased investor interest

  • infrastructure improvements

  • rising land values over time

This has happened previously in parts of Yaba, Surulere, and Lekki after cleanup operations.


What Residents Should Do Now

Anyone living or operating under power lines should:

  • Check if their building is within the restricted corridor

  • Prepare for possible relocation

  • Avoid spending money on renovations in risky zones

  • Document tenancy agreements (some landlords may not inform tenants about notices)

  • Report suspicious or dangerous structures


Advice for Buyers and Real-Estate Investors

Before buying or leasing any property:

1. Verify using eGIS or LASPPPA records

Confirm the property is not on:

  • power-line corridors

  • pipeline corridors

  • drainage setbacks

  • lagoon setbacks

  • railway corridors

  • highway setbacks

  • government acquisition zones

2. Request building approvals and survey plans

Never take a landlord’s verbal assurance as truth.

3. Factor regulatory risk into property valuation

Illegal structures are cheap for a reason — they can vanish any day.


Bigger Picture: What This Means for Lagos’s Future

This renewed enforcement reflects a broader trend:

  • Lagos is entering a more regulatory, compliance-focused era in real estate.

  • Shanties, under-bridge communities, and right-of-way encroachments are now priority clearance zones.

  • The government aims to align Lagos with global cities by removing hazards and restoring planned urban layouts.

  • But without parallel investment in affordable housing, displacement will continue to create social pressure.

This is one of the biggest tensions in Lagos real estate today: the balance between safety, legality, and human need.


What to Watch Next

Over the next few weeks:

  • Expect demolition notices in parts of Ebute-Meta, Makoko, and Oworonshoki.

  • LASBCA and LASURA may publish updated no-build maps.

  • Residents and NGOs may push back on the social impact of evictions.

  • The government may announce alternative housing interventions (though often limited).

  • Investors may begin re-evaluating properties near major transmission lines.







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