By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
LEKKI, LAGOS — The Lagos State Government has confirmed that all landlords affected in the first phase of the Jakande Estate demolition, officially designated as Cluster 1, have received their compensation as promised.
The update, made available to The Merit Newspaper on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, comes days after the government announced a temporary suspension of the demolition exercise to finalize the compensation process.
According to officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the payment structure was designed based on the type of apartment given to the beneficiaries. Each one-bedroom flat owner received ₦3.5 million, two-bedroom flat owners were paid ₦2.5 million, and three-bedroom flat owners were compensated with ₦1.5 million.
Additionally, the government has relocated beneficiaries to new housing units in Sangotedo, Ikorodu, and Epe in a move to ease the resettlement process and ensure minimal disruption to the affected families.
Speaking under condition of anonymity, a LASBCA official said, “We are currently engaging only with Cluster 1. The landlords have been duly settled. However, some residents are still refusing to vacate despite having received long-term quit notices and full compensation.”
This development follows earlier reports that drew attention to the emotional and humanitarian impact of the demolition, prompting public scrutiny and a temporary pause in the exercise.
Civil society groups and residents have urged the government to maintain its commitment to fairness and continue prioritizing dialogue over force, as the demolition may resume today, Wednesday, April 9, in the compensated area — Cluster 1.
