The Lagos State Government has reiterated its firm stance on regulatory compliance for urban development, stressing that no construction activity residential or commercial should proceed without an official planning permit.
Speaking through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), the General Manager, Kehinde Osinaike, underscored that planning approvals are not optional but compulsory for all landowners, developers, and residents across the state.
Osinaike explained that planning permits serve as foundational instruments for guiding development and preserving the integrity of Lagos’ urban structure.“Planning permissions are essential for guiding the growth of neighborhoods, infrastructure, and essential services,” he noted. “They align projects with zoning requirements and the state’s development blueprint.”
According to him, the permit system plays a critical role in preventing unregulated construction and ensuring safety, environmental responsibility, and legal certainty for all property stakeholders.
Also contributing, Olarinde Iyiola, Head of the Monitoring and Compliance Unit at LASPPPA, added that buildings without valid planning approvals often face challenges including legal disputes, unsafe structural conditions, and reduced market value
“When properties are built within the legal framework, they gain from better resale value, structural compliance, and enhanced safety for occupants,” Iyiola said.
In a related initiative aimed at encouraging compliance, the Lagos State Government had earlier launched a three-month amnesty programme in April 2024. The grace period, running from May 2 to July 30, 2024, offered owners of completed buildings without approvals the opportunity to regularize their permits without incurring statutory penalties.
This initiative, announced by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, was designed to support orderly urban renewal while offering leniency to defaulting property owners.
He urged all affected individuals to use the amnesty window to legalize their developments and avoid future sanctions, reaffirming the government’s commitment to sustainable urban planning.
As Lagos continues to expand, authorities are intensifying their push to eliminate illegal developments, uphold safety standards, and foster a cityscape that meets both economic and environmental goals.
