The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to boost compliance with building regulations, with a new drive aimed at issuing up to 40,000 planning permits annually.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Alausa, ahead of a week-long stakeholders’ engagement themed “Planning Permit: A Rebirth”, scheduled to begin on September 26.
Oluyinka explained that while the ministry processed about 18,000 planning permits in 2024, the state’s rapid urban development required doubling that figure to meet its infrastructural and fiscal planning goals.
“Our assessment shows that Lagos should be issuing between 40,000 and 45,000 planning permits annually. We are far below this mark, which is why we have chosen to go back to the grassroots to sensitise the public and key stakeholders,” he said.
The commissioner likened a planning permit to a birth certificate for buildings, stressing its role in granting legal recognition to structures. Without it, he noted, property owners risked forfeiting compensation in the event of government acquisition for public projects.
He also assured residents of a simplified approval process, stating that applications could now be submitted across 57 district offices without middlemen. Once complete documentation is provided, approvals are expected within 10 working days.
Oluyinka warned against erecting buildings without permits, likening it to driving without a licence. “No building should be erected in Lagos without a planning permit. We will know, and we will act,” he cautioned.
As part of the sensitisation week, the ministry will host debates and interactive sessions with students, professionals, estate developers, and market leaders to foster a culture of voluntary compliance.
The commissioner further revealed that the government is collaborating with federal tax authorities to make tax compliance a prerequisite for permit approval.
He urged residents to see planning permits as an investment in safety and property value rather than a burden. “If you present a property document without a planning permit to a bank or embassy, it is invalid. The permit protects you, your family, and your investment,” he said.
Oluyinka reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to efficient and transparent service delivery, promising continuous engagement with stakeholders to improve turnaround times and remove bottlenecks.