Lagos govt orders demolition of Satellite Town Shopping Complex

Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, has ordered the demolition of the Article Shopping Complex in Satellite Town and issued a 14-day ultimatum to owners of distressed buildings in Agric and Coker markets within Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area to conduct structural integrity tests on their properties.

The directive followed an enforcement and inspection exercise carried out on Thursday by officials of the agency at the Article Shopping Complex located in Oriade Local Council Development Area as well as the Agric and Coker markets in the Odun-Ade axis.

According to the agency, several of the inspected commercial buildings showed serious structural defects, heightening concerns over the safety of traders and occupants.

Speaking during the operation, the Director of Quality Control and Post-Construction at LASBCA’s Badagry Division, Kolawole Williams, said the state government remained committed to enforcing building regulations to reduce the growing incidence of building collapse in Lagos.

“The Lagos State Government is determined to minimise the incidence of building collapse in the state. We will continue to enforce building standards because the safety of Lagosians remains our priority,” Williams stated.

He disclosed that occupants of the Article Shopping Complex would be evacuated before the demolition exercise begins, adding that an office structure under construction within the already distressed complex was pulled down during the enforcement operation.

Williams noted that the shopping complex had earlier been marked for demolition and is situated close to the three-storey building that collapsed last week, resulting in the death of nine persons.

According to him, findings from the inspections revealed that nearly 90 per cent of the buildings assessed within the affected markets displayed different levels of structural distress.

At Agric Market, officials inspected 10 three-storey commercial buildings, many of which were still being used for business activities despite visible signs of deterioration.

Williams explained that the structures had already been marked as distressed by the agency on January 29, 2026, yet traders dealing in building materials continued to operate from the premises.

The enforcement team also visited 12 three-storey commercial buildings at the Coker Market, where some structures were found to have suffered partial structural failure while still accommodating commercial activities.

Although market leaders informed officials that repair works were ongoing in some of the buildings, the agency maintained that renovation alone could not substitute for a professional structural integrity assessment.

Williams said owners of the affected properties in both Agric and Coker markets had been directed to carry out integrity tests within 14 days and submit the results to the agency for further evaluation.

“Integrity tests will determine the structural condition of these buildings before the government decides the next line of action,” he said.

He further warned that property owners who fail to comply with the directive or ignore government safety regulations risk prosecution.

“We have district officers and personnel monitoring buildings across the state. Anyone who violates safety directives will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Williams added.