Sanwo-Olu Allocates Land To 98 Ito-Omu Communities To Secure Future In Lagos Expansion Plan

The Lagos State Government has granted formal recognition to 98 communities in the Ito-Omu area and its environs, presenting allocation letters as part of efforts to manage growth in the fast-developing Epe corridor.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu handed over the documents on Wednesday at the Ito-Omu Link Bridge in Sangotedo. He said the step was taken to ensure that communities that have existed for decades are not sidelined by the state’s rapid urban expansion.

Describing the settlements as integral to Lagos’ history, Sanwo-Olu noted that families in the area have lived, farmed, fished and traded there for generations. “Their history is part of the history of Lagos,” he said.

According to the governor, the exercise followed years of work that began in 2021. That process included consultations with traditional rulers, Baales, chiefs and residents, as well as site surveys and mapping. The New Towns Development Authority later produced a detailed development plan to incorporate the communities into the state’s broader urban blueprint.

With the issuance of the allocation letters, the 98 communities are now officially captured within Lagos’ planning framework.

“For us, this event is about much more than land. It is about recognition, and about giving each community a secure place in the physical future of Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu stated.

Under the new plan, the Ito-Omu axis will be zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and recreational purposes. The governor said this structure will allow government to provide infrastructure such as roads and drainage more effectively, while also making the area attractive to investors.

He added that the initiative aligns with Lagos’ overall drive for inclusive growth. “The future of Lagos cannot be built on unplanned expansion. It must be built on deliberate planning, appropriate infrastructure, secure communities and opportunities for our people to prosper,” he said.

“As Lagos continues to expand and attract people, businesses and investment, we must ensure that growth is not simply about how much we build, but how well we plan, how fairly we develop, and how many people we carry along,” the governor added.

Sanwo-Olu also assured residents that the allocation letters guarantee their place as development advances. He announced that government will prioritize improved road networks, drainage systems, social facilities and the proposed Ito-Omu Waterfront Jetty to enhance movement and support commerce in the area.

“These are the kinds of interventions that will turn this plan from a document into a living, thriving community, creating new opportunities for investment, employment and improved living conditions,” he said.

The governor urged community leaders to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure orderly development that respects local heritage. He commended the Lands Bureau, NTDA, the Office of the State Surveyor-General and other stakeholders for their role in completing the process.

“Our task is to ensure that the growth of Ito-Omu and its neighbouring communities is not accidental, but planned, purposeful and people-centred. That is how we will build communities in which people can live with dignity, businesses can thrive, and future generations can look back and say that we planned wisely for them,” Sanwo-Olu concluded.