•Home under Lagos bridge
The yet-to-be-identified ‘landlord’ of Iddo Under Bridge, Lagos Mainland, Lagos State makes not less than N32,200,000 yearly for rent from the occupiers.
On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the federal government (FG) through the Federal Ministry of Works ordered that structures under the bridge be demolished, citing safety concerns and the risk of imminent collapse, reports The Guardian.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, ordered the demolition while inspecting the bridge alongside structural engineers and officials of Julius Berger Nigeria on Sunday.
Umahi expressed concern over the condition of the bridge, which he said had been severely compromised by illegal human activities.
He said: “We are here with bridge experts to examine the Iddo Bridge, which was burnt down due to unlawful occupation and activities beneath it.
“People have converted the underpass into shops, warehouses, and even residential areas.
“These activities have caused significant damage, to the extent that Julius Berger has advised that the bridge must be completely demolished and reconstructed.”
He said that the Cowry Bridge and the Independence Bridge had also been affected by similar activities.
According to the minister, attempts by the federal government to engage with the illegal occupants have met resistance, with some of them saying that the matter is before the court.
“They have refused to vacate the premises. They wrote to us, claiming the matter is in court.
“It appears that what they are selling is more important to them than the lives of Lagosians, but we cannot allow that,” Umahi said.
Umahi directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, to ensure that all illegal structures beneath the bridge would be demolished.
Following the instruction, the 22 compartments under the bridge were demolished.
It was learnt that a sum of N1,600,000 (1.6 million) is paid yearly per occupier of a compartment.
The illegal landlord is making N32,200,000 from 22 occupiers yearly.
One of the occupiers who spoke with our correspondent under anonymity said: “They gave us notice to leave last year (2024), but we continue to use the place
after promises from the person that gave the place out that we should put our minds at rest.
“An occupier pays N1.6 million yearly, and not as if the people in government are not aware. It is possible that this happened due to a change in leadership.”
When our correspondent reached out to Kesha on the identity of the managers of the compartments, she said: “I don’t have the identity of the person who gave out the place. The minister only asked us to demolish, and we have done that.
“The minister has the final say on what to do to those who gave out the place, I don’t know his mind.”
