Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu face-off over Banana Island allocations

Lagos land scandal escalates as President Tinubu clashes with Governor Sanwo-Olu over illegal Banana Island allocations. Federal probe uncovers massive land racketeering scheme

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]nsider reports suggest that President Tinubu is “deeply displeased” with Sanwo-Olu, accusing him of authorising land deals involving property previously under the President’s control.

Also read: Lagos resident accuses PWAN Homes of failing to allocate land paid for 9 years ago

The dispute has triggered intense political manoeuvring and has further complicated power dynamics within the APC in Lagos.

Sources claim that the incident directly influenced Tinubu’s intervention in the recent leadership shake-up in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

On 13 January 2025, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was impeached and replaced by Mojisola Meranda, who became the first female Speaker in Lagos history.

However, Obasa, a known Tinubu loyalist, was reinstated 49 days later following presidential pressure.

“Tinubu got upset with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over illegal land allocation at Banana Island. He also reportedly sold Tinubu’s land,” a source familiar with the development revealed. “This was the reason he reversed the removal of Speaker Obasa.”

The rift was further underlined on 8 June 2025, when Tinubu and his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, met privately with Obasa but insisted on meeting Sanwo-Olu only in the presence of Lagos Governance Advisory Council (GAC) leaders, led by Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, who came to mediate.

At a recent public event, Tinubu was seen pointedly snubbing Sanwo-Olu, fuelling speculation of a widening divide. In response, Sanwo-Olu publicly denied any rift, saying:

“He’s my father, he’s my leader… there is nothing at all. People are crying more than the bereaved.”

As the fallout continues, President Tinubu has moved to revoke all illegal land allocations, including those involving Banana Island and other prime locations such as Lekki, Osborne Foreshore, and Lagos Lagoon.

This crackdown comes amid a federal investigation into what could be one of the largest land racketeering and money laundering schemes in Nigeria’s history.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a letter dated 16 May 2025, requested documents from the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development detailing questionable land allocations made to 14 companies, including:

Banana Island Higherend Castle Ltd – 96 hectares at Banana Island
Pranav Contracting Nigeria Ltd – 254 hectares
Walaris Nigeria Ltd – 572.735 hectares at Lagos Lagoon
Grace Waters – 115 hectares in Lekki
Gold Island – 261.403 hectares at Banana Island

Other implicated firms include Marlot Eagle Island, Spa Dredging Company Ltd, and Bull Construction Ltd.

President Tinubu, speaking during the commissioning of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road**, warned governors against issuing planning approvals without federal oversight, stating:

“We will revoke all approvals given on setbacks. No more approvals for illegally created islands. This legacy project must be protected.”