The Lagos State Government has demolished a luxury car showroom belonging to popular social media influencer and auto dealer, Waris Olayinka Akinwande—widely known as Ola of Lagos. The facility, known as OOL Autos, was pulled down on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in what appears to be part of an ongoing state-wide campaign against illegal structures.

While no official statement has yet been issued by the government regarding the specific circumstances surrounding the demolition, multiple reports and eyewitness accounts suggest that the structure may have violated key urban safety regulations. It is widely speculated that the showroom was erected beneath a high-tension power line, a restricted zone under Lagos State’s physical planning and development laws.

If confirmed, this would place the building in breach of safety codes designed to prevent hazardous construction in sensitive zones. High-tension corridors are designated no-build areas due to the inherent risks they pose to life and property, particularly fire and electrocution hazards.

The incident aligns with a broader effort by the Lagos State Government to enforce physical planning regulations, particularly targeting structures that are either unsafe, illegally sited, or constructed without approval. In recent months, similar operations have been carried out in areas like the Trade Fair Complex and parts of Lekki, where non-compliant buildings were demolished—especially those encroaching on drainage systems, road setbacks, or right-of-way corridors.

Authorities have consistently defended these actions as necessary to curb urban flooding, enhance public safety, and uphold the integrity of the city’s physical development plans. The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has reiterated on several occasions that no individual or entity—regardless of social status or popularity—is exempt from compliance.

As of the time of this report, Ola of Lagos has not issued an official response regarding the demolition of his facility. However, the incident has sparked considerable conversation online, with many of his followers expressing concern, while others call for more transparency from the government in such enforcement exercises.

With urban development pressures mounting in Lagos—a city of over 20 million people—this latest enforcement action underscores the state’s resolve to rein in unregulated construction, even when it involves high-profile personalities.