Abesan Residents Seek Sanwo-Olu’s Intervention Over Youth Centre Closure

Residents of Abesan Estate in Mosan-Okunola LCDA, Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the continued closure of the Youth Centre located within the estate.

The centre was shut by the supervising Ministry of Youth and Social Development in June 2026 for proposed renovation works. However, residents say the renovation is yet to commence, with the contractor reportedly yet to move to site.

The closure has denied thousands of teenagers and youths in the community access to the facility, particularly during the ongoing summer holiday when many young people would ordinarily engage in sports, skills development and other productive activities.

The Abesan Estate Residents Association (AERA), the umbrella body representing residents of the community, had written to the ministry expressing concern over the adverse effects of keeping the facility closed at a time when children are on holiday. According to the residents, the association is yet to receive an official response.

Similarly, a youth advocate in the community, Tayo Adeyemo, whose organisation organised a sporting competition for teenagers during the summer holiday, appealed for permission to use the facility but was denied access.

In a response signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary by the Director of Youth Development in the ministry, Saka A. L., the ministry stated that the centre was currently undergoing renovation and that it would be appropriate for the facility to be opened for use while the renovation work continued.

However, a visit to the centre by our correspondent revealed that no visible renovation work was taking place, while the entrance gate remained firmly locked.

A resident, Phillip Obafemi, said the situation had caused serious disappointment among youths and teenagers in the community.

“Our children are devastated right now. They cannot attend the summer sports coaching programmes. We want Governor Sanwo-Olu to assist the community by opening the facility,” he said.

Another resident, Seun Akinsola, described the continued closure as unacceptable, stressing that residents were not opposed to the proposed renovation.

“It is morally wrong to close these facilities at a time our children are supposed to be showcasing their talents. This is the best time for them to participate in sports before school resumes,” he said.

Akinsola added that denying young people opportunities to engage in productive activities could have negative consequences.

“We are not against the proposed renovation, but closing down the facilities when our children are on holiday is unfair. The ministry seems to be taking us for granted. I am sure they cannot do this in other parts of Lagos.

“When you deny youths the opportunity to showcase their positive talents, they may tend to seek alternatives, some of which can have negative consequences,” he said.

A youth leader in the community, Agboola Sodiya, also appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene before the situation deteriorates.

Sodiya warned that the continued closure of the facility could have an impact on the community’s security situation, noting that Abesan currently enjoys a relatively low crime rate.

“Once you deprive youths of sporting activities and other productive engagements, they may seek alternatives, and sometimes those alternatives can have adverse effects,” he said.

The residents maintained that they are not opposed to the renovation of the Youth Centre. Their major concern, they said, is the prolonged closure of the facility without visible renovation work taking place.

They are therefore calling on Governor Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene and direct the relevant authorities to either commence the renovation without further delay or allow the youths to make use of the facility pending the commencement and proper execution of the project.

For the residents, the Youth Centre is more than just a building; it is a vital community facility for keeping young people engaged, developing their talents and promoting positive youth development.