The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its authority to regulate physical planning and urban development across the state, insisting that all developers must obtain state permits before embarking on construction — regardless of whether the land belongs to the Federal Government or private entities.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, stated this on Arise Television’s The Morning Show, where he clarified that only defence-related buildings or national monuments are exempt from state approval.
“States have absolute right to grant permits and approvals over any building, except buildings for defence or those to be used for national edifices. But whether the land belongs to the Federal Government or not, intending developers still have to get a permit from the Lagos State Government, because the 1992 law is domesticated in Lagos State,” Omotoso said.
He was responding to the controversy surrounding the enforcement of planning laws at the Trade Fair Complex, a Federal Government property, where illegal structures built on road setbacks and drainage channels were recently demolished.
Omotoso stressed that the enforcement was in line with the 1992 Regional and Urban Planning Law, reinforced by a 2003 Supreme Court judgment, which affirms the state’s powers over urban planning.
He explained that the demolished structures encroached on open spaces, contributing to flooding and environmental degradation. “This decision was not sudden. Since 2024, the state had been engaging stakeholders. Amnesty periods were provided for property owners to regularise their buildings, but many failed to comply,” he said.
The Commissioner also recalled that monitoring officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development were once attacked and detained while inspecting the area, and had to be rescued by security operatives.
Despite repeated dialogue offers and extended amnesty windows — the last of which expired on December 31, 2024 — stakeholders refused to cooperate, leaving the government with no choice but to enforce the law.
Omotoso urged residents and prospective developers to acquaint themselves with state planning regulations and obtain proper certifications before building.