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Sanwo-Olu pays N3.1 billion compensation to owners of land acquired for Lagos infrastructure projects
Hundreds of beneficiaries, including filling stations, private schools and mosques have been compensated by the Lagos State Government as Projects Affected Persons on parcels of land acquired for overriding public interest.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, presented N3.1 billion cheques to owners of ancestral land, residential buildings and business centres acquired across Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Igbogbo and Ogba areas for various development projects of the State Government.
The ceremony, held at Adeyemi Bero Hall in Alausa, was a sequel to the compensation scheme held two years ago for families and businesses affected by the Government’s infrastructural development programme.
The beneficiaries include those affected by the construction of Igbe-Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way in Ikorodu, construction of Agric-Isawo-Konu-Arepo Road realignment, rehabilitation and upgrade of strategic arterial roads in Epe, and construction of Hospital Road in Badagry, among others.
The compensation payments followed thorough verification of claims by the State Government through enumeration, valuation by professional estate surveyors, and confirmation of title in order to ensure the compensations were paid to the rightful owners of the acquired properties.
Sanwo-Olu said the State exercised its powers under Sections 28 and 29 of the Land Use Act to acquire the land for overriding public interest, noting that the Government took it as an obligation to compensate those affected fairly, transparently and promptly.
He said: “Today, we are presenting cheques totalling ₦3.1 billion to 331 Project Affected Persons whose land and property were acquired for strategic road projects across our State. We have gathered not merely to present compensation cheques, but to reaffirm a principle that lies at the heart of responsible governance: that development must always have a human face.
“We believe behind every development corridor is a community. Behind every parcel of land is a story. Behind every acquisition are individuals whose lives are directly touched by the decisions of the government. For us in Lagos, acknowledging those stories is not optional; it is a moral responsibility. Today’s ceremony is the fulfilment of that obligation.
“Therefore, the compensation is not charity; it is justice. It is not a favour; it is the right of the beneficiaries. Any progress that overlooks people cannot endure. Development that ignores justice cannot command public trust. This is yet another promise fulfilled and every claim was verified through due process, engaging professional estate surveyors to ensure that compensation reaches the rightful owners and no one else.”
Sanwo-Olu said the compensations could not quantify the sacrifice made by the beneficiaries to give out their properties to pave the way for the construction of infrastructure that would benefit the masses.
The Governor said the his administration had been delivering on the projects, which he described as “strategic investments” in the future of the State.
He added that the residents had already reaping the benefits of the projects, with improvement in road connectivity across the project areas, reduction in travel time and creating opportunities for economic growth across the communities.
“While infrastructure may benefit millions, its immediate impact is often borne by a few. This is the sacrifice made by the Projects Affected Persons. Your contribution is appreciated, and your partnership in the development of Lagos will never be taken for granted. Your cooperation is helping to shape a Lagos that your children, and generations yet unborn, will inherit with pride,” Sanwo-Olu told the beneficiaries.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Lands Bureau, Mr Kamal Olowoshago, said land in Lagos remained one of the most valuable assets for any individual in the State, adding that the Government made it obligatory to provide succour for those who yielded to the Government’s request to offer their land and properties in the overriding public interest.
Olowoshago said the ceremony marked the second phase of compensation for those affected by the land acquisition.
He said: “This exercise is a continuation of the compensation scheme previously held in 2024. This further underscores the consistency of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in fulfilling the statutory obligation to citizens whose properties and interests have been affected by public infrastructure projects.
“It is a clear demonstration of Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to fairness, transparency, accountability and strict adherence to the rule of law in the administration of land resources. Development and compassion have been non-mutually exclusive under the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu.”
At the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, members of the State cabinet, Body of Permanent Secretaries, traditional rulers in the affected areas and beneficiaries and their family members.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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