Evict occupants of buildings converted to bars, mosques, churches within 30 days – Lagos tells landlords

The Lagos State Government has given a final notice to owners of residential buildings illegally converted to churches, mosques, clubs, lounges, and bars across the state to evict their occupiers within the next 30 days.

Disclosing this in a statement on his official X handle on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, warned them to revert the buildings to the original use approved by the state government before the deadline or risk pulling down of their structures.

According to him, the move became imperative following complaints by residents that club owners blatantly disregard safety and security guidelines issued to them and also constitute a nuisance to the environment which is against regulatory provisions of the law.

The statement read, “Lagos State Government has given 30-day final notice to owners/occupiers of residential buildings illegally converted to churches, mosques, clubhouses, lounges, and bars across the state without approval for change of use, to revert to the original use of the structure.

“The notice is a sequel to the distortion of the master plan of Lagos State, especially residential areas, by some people who in gross disregard to the regulatory provisions of the law turned residential areas into clubhouses and worship centres thereby constituting a nuisance to the environment.

“The removal notice became imperative following security concerns of citizens and repeated complaints of non-adherence to safety and security guidelines issued to the club owners.

“Any owner of buildings in residential areas that have been converted to churches, mosques, clubs, bars or lounges without the requisite approvals should evict such occupants before the expiration of the 30 days’ final notice as the state will not give further notice of sealing but outright removal of such non-conforming buildings at the cost of the owners.’’