Lagos State Government warns of low building permits, urging developers to comply with planning laws to prevent demolition risks

Lagos State Government has raised alarm over the sharp decline in building permit applications, revealing that only 18,000 were received in 2024, far below the 40,000 to 45,000 required annually to sustain orderly urban growth.

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The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Olumide Oluyinka, disclosed the figures during a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja. He warned that low compliance threatens sustainable development in Africa’s largest city.

Oluyinka stressed that securing planning approval is a legal requirement, comparing the process to licensing a car. “You cannot drive a car without a licence; in the same way, you cannot put up a building in Lagos without a planning permit,” he said.

The Commissioner explained that unapproved structures not only risk demolition but also undermine effective property management.

He urged residents and developers to view permits as safeguards that protect both personal investments and wider community interests rather than bureaucratic hurdles.

To address the deficit, the Ministry and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPA) have commenced a week-long stakeholders’ engagement.

Running until Friday, 26 September 2025, the programme features sessions with town planners, architects, engineers, builders, surveyors and estate developers.

According to Oluyinka, stronger public participation is crucial, especially in rural areas where awareness remains low.

“It is important for us to continuously engage, particularly to address the low response and limited cooperation from the public,” he said.

Observers say the new outreach drive may prove decisive in shaping the state’s approach to urban planning as Lagos grapples with rapid expansion and mounting pressure on infrastructure.