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For decades, oil dominated Nigeria’s economy. In 2026, a quiet revolution is happening in warehouses, markets, and farms across the country – agro-commodities are becoming the new oil.

From maize and soybeans in Kwara to sesame seeds in Jigawa and ginger in Kaduna, agro-commodity trading is creating a new generation of millionaires, not just among farmers, but among aggregators, processors, and storage operators.

Kwara as the Next Agro-Hub

Kwara State is strategically positioned between Northern producing states and Southern consuming markets. Towns like Afon, Bode-Saadu, and Share are emerging as aggregation hubs for maize, soybeans, and cashew.

The Kwara State Government’s renewed push for industrial parks and improved road access has made the Ilorin-Afon corridor attractive for investors looking to build mid-size warehouses.

For export crops like sesame, ginger, and hibiscus, the difference is even greater. Export-grade sesame is currently earning 2 to 3 times the price of local-market grade.

The Challenges That Remain

Despite the boom, challenges persist. Access to affordable finance, high cost of transportation, inconsistent quality standards, and lack of real-time market information still limit many small aggregators.

Stakeholders are calling for more support from the Bank of Industry (BOI), the Nigerian Exchange’s Growth Board for raising capital, and private warehouse developers offering lease-to-own models.

What Comes Next

As Nigeria pushes for food security agro-commodities are expected to remain one of the most profitable and resilient sectors.

For entrepreneurs, the message is clear: The future is not just in planting, but in aggregating, storing, grading, and connecting Nigerian farms to both local factories and the global market.

THE Special Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) has cleared the air on the recent encounter between its troops and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.

Media Officer of the operation, Captain Polycarp Oteh, in a statement, on Monday in Jos, said the encounter between the two agencies was misconstrued to be a clash.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that videos and photographs of an alleged clash between the military and police personnel went viral on the social media few days ago.

It was alleged that troops had prevented the police personnel from going after some criminals in the area.

But Oteh said the troops only responded to a distress call following a sporadic shooting at Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and adjoining communities of the area.

He said: ‘On October 20, troops of our Sector 3, responded to a distress call reporting sporadic gunfire in Mai Farin Moto, Maraban Dere and adjoining communities. This is alongside reports of the suspected killing of a resident, Mr Adamu Suleiman.

‘The troops were deployed in the affected area to assess the security situation, establish the circumstances of the incident, prevent escalation and protect lives and property.

‘On arrival, the troops sought to engage the police personnel operating in the area to clarify the situation and facilitate a coordinated security response.

‘Regrettably, the interaction was characterised by a lack of cooperation from some personnel, in spite of efforts to de-escalate tensions and maintain operational discipline,’ he said.

Oteh emphasised that troops’ intervention was prompted by an operational distress call, adding that it was undertaken in the interest of public safety.

‘JTF-OPEP remains committed to impartiality, professionalism and the protection of lives and property,’he said.

‘As a joint security arrangement, our operational effectiveness depends on inter-agency coordination, mutual respect, adherence to established procedures and unity of effort.

‘Issues arising from the incident are being addressed through appropriate command and inter-agency channels to establish the facts, sustain operational cohesion and prevent recurrence,’ he explained.

The media officer advised members of the public and reporters to verify information before going to the press, adding that such move would ensure credibility and professionalism.

He assured residents of Plateau of its resolve to maintain law and order, protect innocent residents and consolidate peace and security across its joint operations area.

Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has called on the incoming president of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Professor Kingsley Ogboi, to make building collapse prevention, development control, and professional accountability the central pillars of his administration.

The group made the call, following a building collapse in Lagos, October 23, which left one person dead and three construction workers injured, adding to a long history of structural failures in Nigeria, including the 2021 Ikoyi collapse (46 deaths), the 2014 Synagogue Church disaster, and the 2024 school building collapse in Jos, Plateau State (22 deaths).

In a statement by HDAN’s Executive Director, Festus Adebayo, the group outlined critical areas requiring immediate action following the Institute’s 57th International Conference and Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

It wants the professional body to implement a risk-based audit targeting distressed buildings, aging structures, unauthorized high-rise developments, and properties undergoing major modifications.

Besides, it asked the body to establish clear, standardized processes spanning development approvals, structural certification, construction-stage inspections, enforcement, and occupation permits.

‘Roll out public-facing digital approval portals allowing property buyers and citizens to verify the legal status, approved specifications, and regulatory certifications of any project.

‘Spearhead collaboration with key industry bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), and the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

‘Mandate the publication of all post-collapse investigation findings and enforce strict legal and professional penalties for regulatory violations, negligence, or misconduct,’ the statement read.

HDAN emphasised that building safety extends beyond technical construction metrics to encompass public safety, governance, and national economic security.

According to the group, unsafe construction undermines investor confidence, destroys wealth, and jeopardizes lives.

To break the cycle of recurring tragedies, HDAN urged the new NITP leadership to demand clear answers to three fundamental questions after every incident: Who approved the building design and site plans? Who was responsible for monitoring compliance during active construction? What specific reforms will be enacted to ensure a similar failure never happens again?

‘Building safety should not be treated merely as a technical concern of engineers and contractors. It is a governance issue, a public safety issue, an investment protection issue, and an essential component of sustainable housing development. The time to prevent the next building collapse is now-not after another life has been lost,’ the group said.

Experts in physical planning and urban development have canvassed for stronger cooperation among South-West states to coordinate infrastructure development, tackle urban congestion and flooding, improve housing delivery and attract investments across the region.

They spoke at a two-day Lagos Physical Planning Summit 2.0, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, where stakeholders sought an integrated regional development framework to address urban challenges that transcend state boundaries.

The experts argued that effective physical planning among Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states would improve transportation networks, strengthen economic corridors and promote sustainable urban growth.

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, proposed a Lagos-to-South-West Spatial Development and Investment Compact, to foster collaboration among the six states on cross-border infrastructure, environmental resilience, regional economic development and investment opportunities.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Diagnosis to Delivery: Positioning Lagos for Regional Strategic Development and Priority Investment Agenda,’ Bamidele said the future of Lagos and its neighbouring states depended not only on the quality of their development plans, but also on their commitment to finance, coordinate and implement them.

He proposed that the framework should bring together state governments, relevant federal institutions, planning authorities, infrastructure agencies, private-sector organisations and development partners to identify common priorities and develop practical implementation plans.

He said, regional transportation and logistics, industrial development, power infrastructure, housing, environmental management and investment mobilisation require greater cooperation among the states.

He also called for improved land administration, digital innovation, transparent development regulations and effective public-private partnerships, stressing that regional projects must have clear funding arrangements, defined responsibilities and measurable performance targets.

Bamidele said coordinated development could reduce congestion, improve the movement of goods and people, attract investments and create employment opportunities across the South-West.

He added that effective physical planning should translate into accessible housing, shorter commuting times, reduced flood risks and a more productive business environment.

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also advocated stronger regional cooperation, noting that transportation, housing, economic activities and environmental challenges frequently extend beyond administrative boundaries.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the state Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, said the rapid growth of Lagos’s population, expanding economic activities and limited land resources made proper planning essential to sustainable development.

He urged stakeholders to move beyond preparing development plans to ensuring their effective implementation through clear priorities, adequate funding and measurable results.

The governor stressed that decisions on land use, housing, transportation, drainage and infrastructure must be properly coordinated to prevent congestion, flooding and overcrowded settlements.

He also called for stronger collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies, consistent enforcement of planning regulations and transparent development approval processes.

Sanwo-Olu identified reliable data, clear implementation timelines and accountable institutions as critical to translating development plans into tangible improvements in residents’ living conditions while providing greater certainty for investors.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said the summit provided an opportunity for policymakers, professionals, investors, developers and academics to develop practical solutions to Lagos’s urban development challenges.

He said master plans and model city plans must guide infrastructure provision, housing, transportation, environmental management and investment decisions rather than remain documents without effective implementation

Olumide also highlighted regional collaboration, improved planning administration and technology as essential tools for modern urban management.

He disclosed that the Electronic Physical Planning Permit Processing System, introduced on April 1, 2026, was designed to enable applicants to process planning permit applications remotely, reduce unnecessary human interference and improve efficiency without compromising planning standards or public safety.

The commissioner called for innovative infrastructure financing, stronger institutional coordination and sustained investment in the capacity of planning officers and allied professionals.

He urged participants to ensure that the summit’s recommendations were practical, measurable and supported by clear responsibilities, timelines and credible funding arrangements.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Tpl. Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu, commended the state government for its commitment to physical planning and sustainable development through the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.

He expressed confidence that the knowledge shared and recommendations generated at the summit would strengthen partnerships and promote practical solutions for sustainable urban development in Lagos and the wider region.

The trial of the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika and three others before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could not proceed on Monday as the prosecution sought vacation of the day earlier scheduled for continuation of cross-examination of the third prosecution witness (PW3), Engineer Isaiah Ganiyu Yesufu, by the defence team.

The former minister, who served in the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his younger brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, and two companies, Al-Buraq Limited and Enginos Nigeria Limited, alleged to be owned by the former minister’s brother, before Justice Suleiman Belgore, sitting at Garki, Abuja.

The defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and use of position for gratification.

The former minister was accused of using his position to award various contracts to his younger brother to the tune of about N19.4 billion.

He was further accused of conferring unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited by using his position to influence the award of contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,345,586,500.

EFCC further alleged that the former minister used his position to influence the award of contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3,811,497,685, among other allegations.

According to the prosecution, the offences, allegedly committed in Abuja between August, 2022 and May, 2023, contravene provisions of Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, Section 17(b) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 as well as Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same Acts.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them, by EFCC on behalf of the Federal Government.

At yesterday’s resumed sitting in the case, counsel for the former minister, Joseph Kwahar, holding the brief of Kanu Agabi SAN and counsel for the second defendant, Hafiz Matanmi, informed the court that they received a letter from the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, seeking the vacation of today’s date.

They added that the prosecutor, however, wanted the case to continue today, Tuesday, October 27.

With no objection from the defence team, Justice Belgore then adjourned to today for continuation of cross examination of the PW3, Engineer Yesufu, who is the Director of Certification, Compliance and Monitoring with Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP).

Yesufu had, while being crossed-examined by counsel for the former minister, Kanu Agabi SAN, told the court Senator Sirika neither issued nor signed any letters awarding contract for construction of a terminal building at the Katsina Airport.

He further told the court that Sirika did not participate in the Aviation Ministry’s ministerial tenders board proceedings leading to the award of the contracts.

‘I am aware that the first defendant (former minister) is on trial for violation of procurement processes. As far as I know, he did not participate in the ministerial tenders board’s proceedings.

‘He (Sirika) did not issue or sign any of the letters awarding the contracts,’ the PW3 told the court.

The PW3 further told the court that procurements in the Ministry of Aviation were being regulated by the Public Procurement Act, under which the ministry’s permanent secretary was the accounting officer of the ministry.

According to him, the permanent secretary as of the time the contract was awarded, Mr Abel Enitan, had the responsibility of ensuring that the ministry complied with the Public Procurement Act, adding that, ‘the permanent secretary has responsibility for liabilities in the breach of the Act.’

Birthday tributes are no lengthy religious sermons, but how does one describe in few words a vibrant young in age but exudes the wisdom of a 90-year-old?

A woman whose life is defined by fierce empathy for the downtrodden, unwavering service to humanity, and uncompromising love for country?

At 40, Dr. Betta Edu remains a role model for young people, especially young women, uncertain of life directions.

As Co-Director of Women Mobilisation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), she brings uncommon verve, strategic dexterity, and infectious energy to the task of galvanising Nigerian women behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Her outings so far have been marked by purposeful engagement, formidable grassroots mobilisation, and a refreshing demonstration of political commitment.

At the inauguration of the APC PCC, Edu distinguished herself with dignified conduct, measured eloquence, and inspiring remarks that underscored her readiness for the assignment.

In her, the APC PPC finds not merely a mobiliser but a woman whose passion is palpable, whose purpose is unmistakable, and whose drive is difficult to ignore.

There is something remarkably compelling about Dr. Edu: The fire in her spirit, the grace in her carriage, the conviction in her words, and the tenacity with which she pursues a cause.

At 40, Dr. Edu stands as a striking blend of brain and brawn, elegance and enterprise, intellect and impact.

She does not merely occupy space; she commands attention. She does not simply join the procession; she helps set the pace.

Some people wait for greatness to find them; others, like Edu, announce its arrival through the force of their character and the footprints of their accomplishments.

‘Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.’- Mark Twain .At a young age, Dr Edu’s journey reflects the power of purpose, courage and determination, demonstrating that true leadership is measured not by age, but by the impact one makes and the lives one inspires.

For Edu, this milestone is more than a date on the calendar; it is a celebration of grace, grit, growth, and a life that continues to unfold with remarkable promise.

She is no ordinary woman. She belongs to that rare breed whose lives seem touched by the unmistakable fingerprints of distinction. From her early years, Dr. Edu has displayed the unmistakable signs of a star destined to shine.

In my previous write-up marking her 39th birthday, I described her using the Yoruba expression, ‘Látì kékeré ló ti n ?e b?´b?`,’ which aptly captures the essence of her journey and the early signs of excellence that have continued to define her story.The seeds of greatness often announce themselves long before the harvest.

Her journey is a compelling chronicle of ambition disciplined by hard work, talent sharpened by learning, and opportunity transformed into impact.

Poised, articulate, and purposeful, she has traversed the corridors of medicine, public health, politics, and public service with a rare combination of intellectual depth and grassroots appeal.

Her story is not merely about how far she has travelled but how much she has dared to accomplish along the way.

Nelson Mandela once observed that ‘What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.’

By this measure, Edu’s journey offers a powerful testament to the possibilities that unfold when courage meets competence and ambition finds a worthy purpose.

To many young Nigerians, particularly women, she represents the audacity to dream beyond limitations and the determination to turn those dreams into tangible achievements.

From Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Health, to Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency to Commissioner for Health, Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners for Health, National Woman Leader of the APC, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and now Co-Director of Women Mobilisation of the APC PCC, Edu’s public-service trajectory has been marked by demanding assignments and high expectations.

Across these roles, she has projected an abiding commitment to service, organisational leadership, and the advancement of causes she believes in.

Her present assignment places her before one of the most consequential challenges in Nigeria’s political landscape: mobilising women whose electoral strength and grassroots influence remain indispensable to democratic success.

In this arena, Edu brings the instincts of a seasoned organiser, the eloquence of a persuasive communicator, and the energy of a woman determined to make every moment count.

Her current outings reflect a spirited effort to build bridges, deepen engagement, and rally women around the President’s re-election campaign.

Edu first entered the wider public consciousness in 2015 when she emerged as one of the youngest aides appointed by then Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade.

She subsequently became the youngest commissioner in his cabinet, an early distinction that announced her arrival as a rising force in the state’s political firmament.University of Calabar,

A former student-union leader at the where she studied Medicine, Edu has long demonstrated a gift for public speaking and mobilisation.

Before becoming Commissioner for Health in 2019, she served as Special Adviser and Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, as well as Special Technical Adviser to the Governor on the state’s Privatisation Council.

Her emergence as APC National Woman Leader in 2022 further elevated her political profile. When the position was zoned to the South-South, party stakeholders rallied around her on account of her youth, vibrancy, educational pedigree, advocacy for women, and formidable grassroots appeal.

She won the keenly contested election and served until her nomination as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

Academically accomplished, Edu holds a medical degree from the University of Calabar, postgraduate qualifications in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom, and a Doctor of Public Health degree from Texila American University.

Her academic journey reflects a determination to complement political influence with professional knowledge and intellectual substance.

A proud daughter of Adadama in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, Edu carries her roots with pride while projecting a broad vision of national service.

Her story speaks to the possibilities of a Nigeria where talent, hard work and determination can open doors to leadership and consequential public engagement.

As she marks her 40th birthday, the celebration goes beyond age. It honours a woman whose journey has been shaped by audacity, whose public life has been driven by ambition and whose political energy continues to find expression in new assignments.

For her admirers, she is a symbol of youthful leadership, humanitarian response, women’s empowerment, and the enduring power of purposeful service.

On this special day, I celebrate my boss, Dr Betta Edu: the medical doctor, the mobiliser, the orator, the trailblazer, and the woman whose story continues to inspire.

May the years ahead bring her renewed wisdom, enduring peace, greater accomplishments, and the grace to fulfil every worthy aspiration.

May the joy she shares, the hope she inspires, and the goodwill she extends to others return to her a hundredfold.

As she pursues her present assignment in the APC PCC, may her efforts yield fruitful outcomes, and her commitment to public service continue to find noble expression.

Happy 40th birthday, Dr Betta Edu, my boss- a rare bloom of grace, a force of conviction, and a woman still writing her story in bold strokes of purpose and possibility.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, ANIPR, FMBI, is a senior journalist, Media and Public Relations Consultant, and Strategic Communications Expert. He writes from Abuja, FCT.

The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has demonstrated how crowdfunding and community-based savings can improve agricultural extension delivery with the provision of 15 Volkswagen Golf vehicles to super trainers implementing its ICON2 project in Kano and Jigawa states.

Under the financing arrangement, beneficiaries contributed 50 per cent of the cost of the vehicles, while WOFAN provided the remaining half through its revolving support model, giving extension workers improved mobility to reach farming communities, access markets and generate additional income.

The initiative seeks to address transportation challenges that often limit the reach of agricultural extension services, particularly in rural communities where farmers depend on extension workers for technical guidance, training and information on improved farming practices.

WOFAN Founder and Global Advocate, Dr Salamatu Garba, said the intervention was designed to equip super trainers, extension workers and community leaders with the means to reach more farmers and improve agricultural service delivery.

‘We are commissioning batch one of logistic vehicles for our super trainers, extension workers and community leaders.

Through their own savings and our complementary support, they now have the mobility needed to reduce the gap farmers face at harvest, move produce to markets, and carry out their extension work more effectively,’ Garba said.

She explained that the vehicles would serve both operational and commercial purposes, enabling beneficiaries to discharge their extension responsibilities while generating additional income through the transportation of goods and passengers.

According to her, improved mobility would ease the difficulties associated with reaching remote farming settlements and reduce beneficiaries’ dependence on commercial transportation when moving between farms, communities and markets.

The crowdfunding model requires super trainers to organise themselves into groups, typically comprising seven or eight members, and save half the cost of the vehicles over an agreed period. WOFAN then provides the balance through its revolving support arrangement.

The scheme builds on the organisation’s experience in providing productive assets, including tractors, threshers and other equipment, to women farmers, youths and agricultural marketers under the WOFAN ICON2 project.

By combining beneficiaries’ contributions with institutional support, the model promotes financial discipline, collective responsibility and ownership while expanding access to productive assets that individual rural workers might otherwise struggle to afford.

The initiative also reinforces the role of super trainers in agricultural extension delivery. Having progressed from the ranks of extension workers through commitment and performance, they train other extension personnel, community leaders and cluster leaders, who subsequently replicate the training in their communities.

Their responsibilities include promoting financial inclusion and encouraging savings among rural households, making the vehicle scheme an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of the financial practices they teach.

The additional mobility is expected to strengthen this training network, improve the frequency of community engagements and facilitate the transfer of agricultural knowledge between extension personnel and farmers.

Chairman of WOFAN’s Technical Board, Professor Sani Miko, described the initiative as a demonstration of how collective savings and shared responsibility could expand economic opportunities for vulnerable groups.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the vehicles responsibly and serve as good ambassadors of the organisation, while commending WOFAN’s crowdfunding approach to productive asset ownership.

The vehicles will complement existing transportation options used by beneficiaries, including two-wheel and three-wheel tricycles, tauraruwa pickups and other vehicles supporting agricultural and value-chain activities.

Beneficiaries, including Sadiya Ibrahim, Hajiya Bilkisu from Jigawa State and Isyaku Yahaya from Garun Mallam in Kano State, expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as a boost to their work and the services they provide to farming communities.

They said the vehicles would improve their ability to reach farmers, conduct training activities and explore additional income-generating opportunities.

WOFAN said it planned further distributions of vehicles and pickups to extend the scheme to more participating clusters.

The commissioning of the first 15 vehicles in Kano and Jigawa states highlights the potential of crowdfunding and community savings as alternative mechanisms for financing agricultural development, particularly when beneficiaries’ contributions are matched with institutional support.

Beyond addressing transportation constraints, the initiative places agricultural extension workers at the centre of efforts to improve farmers’ access to knowledge, technical assistance and improved farming practices.

WOFAN is a Nigerian non-governmental organisation working in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to empower women farmers, youths and persons with disabilities through agricultural training, capacity building, financial inclusion and community-based livelihood initiatives.

The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has warned that demolishing historic buildings would amount to destroying the stories, traditions and collective memories that define Lagos’ cultural identity.

The guild called on the Lagos State government to strengthen efforts to preserve the state’s historic structures, as neglect and uncontrolled urban development could erase important links to the city’s past.

President of BCPG, Alhaji Yusuf Sulaiman, and other built-environment professionals made the assertion at a seminar organised by the guild’s Lagos Island branch to mark the 90th birthday of Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, head of the Olusi Royal House of Lagos, at the Olusi Palace, Oke Arin, Lagos Island.

A lecturer at the University of Lagos’ Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, Dr Abisoye Eleshin, said the destruction of historic buildings went beyond the loss of physical structures, as it also wiped out the stories, traditions and collective memories associated with them.

She urged planners and construction professionals to pay greater attention to traditional palaces, religious buildings, and other structures that reflect the history of Lagos communities, rather than concentrating solely on prominent architectural landmarks.

Stakeholders at the seminar identified the Olusi Palace as one of the historic properties requiring urgent preservation, citing its cultural, educational and tourism value.

Sulaiman said the palace was among 23 heritage buildings identified on Lagos Island, while previous government planning documents had recognised the need to protect historically significant sites across the state.

He cited the Lagos State Metropolitan Master Plan of 1980 and the state’s 2009 strategic plan, which identified 43 heritage sites across Lagos, but lamented that many had not received adequate attention.

He urged the government to translate heritage recognition into concrete conservation measures, noting that preserving the palace could attract visitors interested in Lagos’ history and cultural traditions.

The pioneer president of BCPG, Builder Kunle Awobodu, said the palace also demonstrated the construction expertise of earlier generations of Nigerian builders.

He explained that retaining such structures would provide students of architecture, engineering and other built-environment professions with opportunities to study traditional building techniques and understand the evolution of construction practices.

Professor Olumide Adenuga advocated systematic documentation, regular structural assessments, appropriate repairs and sustainable funding to ensure the survival of historic buildings.

He added that suitable heritage properties could be adapted into museums, cultural centres and other public facilities without destroying their historical character.

Responding to the concerns, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Olayinka Abiodun, outlined possible approaches to heritage protection, including government acquisition and management, preservation restrictions with possible support, and conservation arrangements that allow families to retain ownership.

Prince Olusi, recalling the former splendour of the palace compound, said it once featured extensive gardens with apple, palm and coconut trees, alongside hibiscus and roses.

He lamented the deterioration of the property and appealed to the government to revisit earlier preservation plans.