By: Kareem Malik.
The Lagos State Government has been urged to move beyond identifying historic buildings as heritage assets and take concrete steps to preserve them amid concerns that neglect and uncontrolled development could erase significant parts of Lagos Island’s history.
The call was made by professionals of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) at a seminar organised by its 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.
Stakeholders at the event identified the palace as one of the historic structures deserving urgent attention, arguing that its preservation would protect cultural heritage, provide educational opportunities and potentially create a tourism asset for the state.
The National President of BCPG, Town Planner Yusuf Sulaiman, said the palace was among 23 heritage buildings identified on Lagos Island, drawing attention to earlier government planning documents that recognised the need to preserve historically significant structures.
Sulaiman cited the Lagos State Metropolitan Master Plan of 1980 and the state’s 2009 strategic plan, which identified 43 heritage sites across Lagos, but noted that many had received inadequate attention.
He called for the palace to be properly recognised and preserved, stressing that its historical and cultural value could make it an attraction for visitors from within and outside Nigeria.
The pioneer president of BCPG, Builder Kunle Awobodu, said the palace demonstrated the quality of construction achieved by earlier generations of Nigerian builders.
Awobodu said retaining such structures would allow students of architecture, engineering and other built-environment professions to study traditional construction techniques rather than lose valuable examples of the country’s architectural history.
Dr Abisoye Eleshin of the University of Lagos’ Institute of African and Diaspora Studies warned that demolishing historic buildings amounted to destroying the stories, traditions and collective memories attached to them.
He urged planners and construction professionals to look beyond prominent architectural landmarks and pay greater attention to traditional palaces, religious buildings and other structures that reflect the history of Lagos communities.
Professor Olumide Adenuga also advocated systematic documentation, regular structural assessments, appropriate repairs and sustainable funding for heritage conservation.
He said suitable buildings could be adapted for museums, cultural centres and other public uses 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 government approaches to protecting heritage properties.
These include government acquisition and management, formal preservation restrictions with possible support, and conservation arrangements under which ownership remains with the family.
Prince Olusi recalled that the palace compound once featured extensive gardens with apple, palm and coconut trees, alongside hibiscus and roses, making it a distinctive landmark in its surroundings.
He lamented the deterioration of the property and appealed to the government to revisit earlier preservation plans.
The challenge, however, remains translating heritage recognition into effective protection.
With stakeholders warning of the cultural and educational losses that could follow the disappearance of historic buildings, the palace has become a test of whether Lagos can safeguard its architectural inheritance while pursuing modern development.
