The Ondo State government has directed owners of abandoned property littering the state to develop them immediately or risk losing such buildings to government.

This is contained in a statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, on Thursday in Akure.

Mr Ajulo said that the call was to signal a major urban renewal drive that would compel owners of abandoned property across major cities in the state to develop them.

He said that owners of such property should either develop such buildings, surrender them for redevelopment by investors, or face government intervention under existing urban planning laws of the state.

Mr Ajulo, who cited Akure metropolis as a case study, noted that several buildings located in strategic economic areas of the city had been abandoned for decades and no longer align with the developmental vision of a modern state.

“There are buildings in this city(Akure) that have remained in the same condition for over 30 years. Such structures do not complement the developmental strides going on in the state,” he said.

The commissioner said that part of the proposed reforms in the state included the full digitisation and computerisation of land administration.

He added that this would ensure proper monitoring, planning, documentation and compliance with urban development regulations.

Mr Ajulo also referenced the Executive Order signed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in 2025 which mandates strict compliance with physical planning and development control regulations for all new structures, especially within the state capital.

According to him, the government is not only focusing on land protection but also committed to structured urban transformation and sustainable city development.

“Akure, Ondo, Owo, Ore, Ikare-Akoko, Okitipupa, and other cities cannot remain in their old settings. Deliberate efforts must be made for Akure to sustain its developmental pace and evolve into a first-class urban economy.

“Owners of abandoned properties located along major roads and within Akure metropolis, whether commercial or residential, must be prepared to either develop such structures or relinquish them to the government for proper urban redevelopment.

“The Nigerian Land Use Act empowers a state governor to acquire land for overriding public interest, provided due process is followed and appropriate compensation is paid in accordance with the law,” he said.

Mr Ajulo said that the government had already compiled records and title details of several affected buildings and commenced official engagements with owners as part of formal warning measures.

He urged residents to complement government efforts by maintaining proper environmental discipline.

Mr Ajulo warned that indiscriminate dumping of refuse, defacement of public infrastructure, and violation of environmental regulations would attract strict enforcement and sanctions. 

(NAN)