The community of FESTAC Town in Lagos State’s Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area is urging the state and federal governments to intervene promptly and address the years of neglect suffered by the housing estate.
While protesting on Saturday under the Take Back FESTAC Movement, residents discussed with KIKISBLOG NEWS various challenges, including bad roads, blocked drainage, infrastructure decay, illegal shanties, and rising insecurity.
Marching through the housing estate’s main avenues, protesters wore shirts with inscriptions such as “TakeBack FESTAC-Amuwo” and “Our Voice, Our Power,” specifically lamenting the condition of the roads and drainage system.
They described roads, specifically along Second Avenue, as dangerous passageways and drainage channels as completely blocked by unauthorized constructions and dirt.
As the Chairman of the movement, Valentine Uduebo, who led the rally, appealed to the government to take charge.
He noted, “FESTAC’s decline is evident. Roads are inaccessible, drainage is obstructed, illegal shanties dominate, and insecurity is at an all-time high.
We demand that the Federal Housing Authority and the Federal Government honor their commitments.
On July 5th, we encountered a similar issue. Our demands and desires are uncomplicated; we do not expect the government to provide us with anything or enhance our lives.
We simply want the old FESTAC back, and it is regrettable that a federal institution or housing estate like FESTAC has fallen into such disrepair.
The widespread insecurity is distressing, stemming from the federal and state governments’ lack of presence.
The protesters cited the deteriorating security situation as a major grievance, warning that crime was on the rise in the community.
According to Charles, a long-time resident, community members had been living in fear as a result.
He stated, “FESTAC was designed to showcase Nigeria’s potential, but currently it is a mere shadow of its former self.
We reside in fear, with poor road conditions, escalating insecurity, and inadequate services.
It is disheartening, and we are concerned about the estate’s deteriorating state.”
“Our environment has deteriorated significantly from its previous state.
The proliferation of unauthorized structures and illicit activities is alarming.
We aim to restore the area’s former glory, ensuring that all activities are conducted in a lawful and orderly manner, thereby rendering the environment conducive,” he added.
Certain residents have cautioned that the unchecked proliferation of shanties has exacerbated insecurity and created health and environmental risks.
They advocated for the relocation of illegal traders to proper markets, a project they claimed the newly elected local government chairman was undertaking.
The residents also sought clarification regarding the purported sale of FESTAC Waterworks, describing the transaction as opaque, and requested that the authorities provide a detailed explanation of their role.
What will be the functional implications for the estate if public assets, including waterworks, are sold carelessly? We need proper roads, functioning drainage, and effective policing, he added.
Chima Williams, an executive of the movement, called on the federal and state government to support the local government chairman, highlighting FESTAC’s history of hosting international bodies and showcasing the country’s heritage.
FESTAC must not be neglected. Likewise, the people residing in this area deserve attention. We are strong, resilient, and productive individuals.
Consequently, we request that you provide us with adequate roads, efficient drainage systems, and a reliable power supply.
Given that this government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, this represents the voice of the people.
He further stated that “Logistics has made things unbearable. The cost of surviving here is expensive now, based on logistical problems.
Now, if you talk about health, there is no way any ambulance will reach any sick individual on time. Security-wise, you cannot see any policeman respond to any security situation swiftly.”
The protesters praised Chairman Lanre Sanusi for his intervention in various areas.
They noted that the chairman, who recently assumed office, has initiated efforts to clear shanties, relocate traders, and restore order, notwithstanding limited resources.
Residents have taken to the streets for the second time this year, following a similar protest in July 2025.
The repeated demonstrations stress the depth of frustration within the community and the necessity for government intervention to prevent the estate’s decline from becoming irreversible.
The conception of FESTAC Town dates back to the 1970s, when it was envisioned as the venue for the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77), and was later established by the Federal Government as a model estate under Decree 40 of 1973.
Having previously served as a testament to Nigeria’s post-oil boom ambitions and a residential community for thousands of middle-class families, the town was designed as a self-sufficient entity with modern housing and infrastructure.
However, decades of governmental neglect have precipitated the estate’s downfall, characterized by dilapidated roads, blocked drainage, unregulated informal structures, and mounting insecurity.
KIKI’S BLOG Online previously reported on September 15, 2025, that the Federal Housing Authority initiated the rehabilitation of FESTAC Town by inaugurating the reconstructed 1st Gate, 1st Avenue Road, and solar street lights, marking the commencement of efforts to restore the estate.
When contacted on Monday, Kenneth Chigelu, Head of Public Relations at the Federal Housing Authority, stated that he was not aware of the protest.
He, however, mentioned that stakeholders had already been engaged in the rehabilitation plans of the housing estate.
He said, “If you are planning a protest, due process must be followed. You have to notify us of your intention to protest, so we can understand the grounds of the protest.
We have initiated the rehabilitation of FESTAC, and almost every stakeholder was present; we had media coverage, and the local government chairman was also in attendance.”
The FHA spokesman specifically cited the ongoing rehabilitation of roads, gates, and agreements with the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to fix critical infrastructure.
Chigelu emphasized that anyone with grievances should submit a formal letter to the Authority for dialogue.
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