Auto dealer & influencer Ola of Lagos confirms his car showroom has been demolished — just months after its grand opening

Auto dealer & influencer Ola of Lagos confirms his car showroom has been demolished — just months after its grand opening

Popular Nigerian auto dealer and social media influencer Waris Olayinka Akinwande, better known as Ola of Lagos has confirmed that a car showroom associated with his OOL Autos brand was demolished in Lagos this weekend, just months after its grand opening. The incident, which was captured in viral videos and screenshots shared across Instagram, TikTok and X, has drawn heavy attention online and prompted mixed reactions from followers and industry peers.

What happened

Video clips that circulated on social media on Saturday, October 11, 2025, show heavy equipment tearing down the showroom structure. Ola of Lagos responded publicly via his Instagram story, acknowledging the demolition and assuring supporters that his business remains operational despite the loss. He also announced plans to open a new, larger facility under the OOL Autos name.

Conflicting reports on the reason

As of the latest reports, the Lagos State Government had not immediately released a formal statement explaining the demolition. Some local reports and social-media commenters suggested the structure may have been sited directly under high-tension power lines or otherwise contravened safety and planning rules, a claim repeated in community reactions and picked up by broadcast outlets but these specific reasons had not been officially confirmed by government authorities at the time of publication.

Ola’s reaction and business continuity

In his posts, Ola struck an optimistic tone. He thanked followers for messages of support, said he was “good” and “smiling,” and pledged that OOL Autos will return with a “bigger and better” showroom. He invited customers to continue contacting him by phone or WhatsApp for vehicles while a new physical location is prepared, stressing that his trading activities were ongoing despite the loss of the showroom.

Public reaction and safety concerns

The demolition has triggered a range of reactions online. Many users expressed sympathy for the financial and emotional toll of losing a newly opened showroom. Others argued that if the building did violate planning or safety regulations for example by being located beneath high-voltage lines then the demolition was understandable on public-safety grounds. Nigerian observers often note that Lagos authorities have in past years moved to clear structures that pose safety risks or violate town-planning rules, though critics also say demolitions sometimes lack adequate prior notice for affected businesses.

What to watch next

Key developments to monitor in the coming days:

• Any official statement from the Lagos State Government or the Ministry of Physical Planning that clarifies the legal or safety grounds for the demolition. (At the time of reporting, no official LASG notice had been posted.)

• Confirmation of where and when OOL Autos will re-open its replacement showroom, and whether affected vehicles or property will be relocated or compensated.

• Reactions from customers or nearby businesses about notice procedures and any claims of prior warnings or notices given to the showroom owner.

Context — Lagos demolitions and planning enforcement

Lagos has a history of demolition exercises carried out in the name of public safety, flood control, or urban redevelopment. Such actions frequently produce debate between state authorities (who cite planning rules or safety hazards) and business owners or traders (who complain of abrupt enforcement and economic losses). This incident joins several recent, high-profile enforcement actions that highlight tensions between urban regulation and commercial activity in a dense megacity environment.

Bottom line

Ola of Lagos has publicly confirmed that his showroom was demolished and has promised to rebuild and continue trading. While social-media footage and local outlets captured the demolition and its immediate fallout, the exact legal or safety rationale from Lagos authorities remained unconfirmed in the outlets reporting the story at the time. Readers should expect follow-up statements from both the Lagos State Government and OOL Autos as the situation develops.