Lagos Begins Compensation for Oworonshoki Residents Affected by Demolition Exercise

The Lagos State Government has begun paying compensation to residents of Oworonshoki in Kosofe Local Government Area whose properties were recently demolished as part of the state’s urban renewal and regeneration project.

The move fulfills the government’s earlier pledge to compensate verified victims of the demolition exercise, which targeted illegal and substandard structures built on drainage alignments and waterways across the community.

The General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Olajide Animashaun, announced the commencement of payments on Thursday during a ceremony held at the palace of the traditional ruler of Oworonshoki.

Animashaun said the exercise underscores the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to humane and inclusive urban development, ensuring that affected residents are treated with fairness and empathy.

“Oworonshoki is one of the communities earmarked under the state’s comprehensive urban renewal and regeneration plan. Many of the affected structures were unsafe for habitation and posed environmental hazards.

However, in line with the inclusive governance policy of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, the state made a commitment to compensate verified affected residents—and today, that promise is being fulfilled,” he said.

A total of 79 beneficiaries were verified for compensation, to be disbursed in two batches. The first group received their cheques on Thursday, while the second batch was scheduled to receive theirs on Friday at the same venue.

Animashaun explained that the process followed extensive verification, enumeration, and stakeholder engagement to ensure transparency and accuracy. He thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his “visionary leadership and compassion,” noting that the payment reflects the government’s sincerity and accountability in executing its renewal policies.

He also commended the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and Arc. Gbolahan Oki, Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, for their dedication to the project.

The event was attended by representatives of the Oworonshoki traditional council, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Council (CDC) members, civil society organizations, and the media.

Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government for honoring its commitment promptly.

One of them, Mrs. Ajimoh Oyenuga, said:

“The government gave us this money as compensation for the houses demolished on Precious Street, Oworonshoki. We are grateful because it shows that the government cares about our well-being.”

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Olaide Fatima, added:

“My house was close to the water, and it wasn’t safe. The government promised to compensate us, and today they have done it. I really appreciate this gesture — promise made, promise kept.”

Animashaun reaffirmed LASURA’s pledge to continue implementing urban renewal projects across Lagos with transparency, fairness, and respect for residents’ welfare, ensuring that development goes hand in hand with compassion.

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