Abandoned Lagos School Complex Turned Community

Adekunle Dada

Providing housing for citizens is one of the responsibilities of government, so when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his second tenure as governor of Lagos State decided to merge some schools in Tolu Complex in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government to make way for a housing estate, the intention was welcomed by all and sundry.

But well after 10 years the plan for that land only exist on paper at the state secretariat in Alausa. Like every abandoned project, the land and school building on it have been taken over and a new community has emerge in that environment.

Investigation reveals that the massive land which once upon a time serve as school compound for Oremeji Primary school, Tolu Primary school, Reservation Primary school and a football pitch for residents of Olodi Apapa is now a community where people live and raise families. From hotels to barbers shop to churches to laundry shop, alcohol joints and much more fill the area.

Oremeji Primary school which building still stand on the land now house about 5 different Pentecostal churches and game house. Right beside the building is another Celestial Church.

Plots of land are sold by some persons who our source who sought anonymity was uncomfortable to disclose. A room apartment goes for as much as N3,000 – N4,000 per month with N60,000-N70,000 agency fee popularly call Agent and Agreement. For the plank building N60,000 – N70,000 will get someone a room for a year.

These buildings have no bathroom or toilet facilities. For the lucky one’s whose buildings are close to the canal that faces Apapa GRA, a makeshift structure is built on the water for that purpose. While for others who are not close to the canal, they bath very early in the open before break of dawn and defecate in any hidden spot around. Dumpsites litter the environment.

Sometime last year, exactly on the 24th of February, 2017, Lagos State Government visited the place to issue notice to the people to vacate the land. Findings revealed that each shop owner paid N2,000 to settle officials of the state government.The amount those who live there paid were not disclosed.

It is also fair to say that it was not confirmed if Lagos State Government officials accepted the bribe but what is confirmed is that after 13 months of that visit, more buildings have been built, more are under construction and the population is ever increasing.