Residents of the Ajiwe community in the Ajah area of Lagos State have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt the planned demolition of their homes until they are properly compensated.
The affected residents, including landlords and tenants, staged a peaceful protest along the Abraham Adesanya Expressway over the weekend. They are protesting against the demolition of their properties for the Gas Link pipeline and the Green Line Rail projects—key infrastructure components for the new Lekki International Airport.
During the protest, the residents held placards with messages like “Compensate us before demolition,” and “We say no to demolition without compensation.”
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, community leader Kehinde Alakoso acknowledged the importance of the projects, noting they serve a public purpose. However, he stressed that residents must not be pushed out without compensation.
“We agree the projects are for the public good, but our rights must also be respected,” Alakoso said. “We have written to the governor and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development to express our concerns.”
The new Lagos Airport, located in the Ibeju Lekki area, is one of the state’s major ongoing infrastructure projects, expected to boost the economy and ease international travel. However, the affected residents insist that development must be fair and humane.
They called on the government to urgently address the issue before any further steps are taken.