In a decisive move that echoes global concerns about sustainable urban development and environmental protection, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has launched a renewed crackdown on illegal structures encroaching on waterways and unapproved areas within Nigeria’s capital city.
Led by AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Obuah, city managers toured Utako and Guzape Districts, where they commenced the demolition of non-compliant buildings—including a high-profile estate in Guzape—built in violation of the city’s master plan. The enforcement comes amid rising concerns over urban sprawl, environmental degradation, and the increasing risk of urban flooding linked to poor planning.
“This is not just about aesthetics or regulation—it’s about protecting lives and restoring order,” said Obuah, noting that many developers have flouted planning permissions by erecting buildings on green spaces, road corridors, and drainage lines, risking ecological disasters.
The crackdown aligns with Abuja’s efforts to uphold global urban development standards as outlined in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11, which promotes sustainable cities and communities. Obuah warned that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would no longer tolerate infractions that threaten the safety and livability of Nigeria’s political capital.
One major case involved Citiscape Villa, Guzape, where the developer, Kadiri Ogbaidi, admitted to overseeing the construction of over 40 buildings despite having approval for only 18. Ogbaidi took responsibility, citing unauthorized modifications by subscribers, and was granted a two-week grace period to remove the excess structures voluntarily.
The Director of the Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, confirmed that repeated stop-work notices had been ignored at several sites, prompting stepped-up monitoring and enforcement.
Meanwhile, environmental concerns were raised in Utako, where a foreign company was accused of illegally encroaching on a designated green area, potentially worsening flood risks in the city.
“This is about protecting our future. Abuja cannot afford to follow the path of poorly planned cities overwhelmed by environmental crises,” said Obuah. He further emphasized that government officials complicit in the illegal approvals would be sanctioned under civil service rules.
Abuja’s bold step reinforces the message that African cities can uphold integrity in land use and planning while fostering sustainable urban growth. The city’s clampdown may serve as a model for other fast-growing capitals grappling with the pressures of urbanization and real estate speculation.
