The Lagos State government has raised alarms over a significant shortfall in building permit applications and has issued a stern warning about the demolition of unauthorized constructions.
During a press conference held yesterday at Alausa, Ikeja, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, revealed that only 12,000 planning permits have been granted so far in 2024. This figure falls drastically short of the estimated annual demand of 40,000 to 45,000 permits, a gap driven by the state’s expanding population and rapid urbanization.
Dr. Oluyinka cautioned that any structure built without the required planning approval faces the possibility of being torn down.
To tackle this issue, the government has launched a week-long series of stakeholder consultations aimed at closing the permit gap and increasing public understanding of the necessity of obtaining planning permits, especially in rural communities.
Commencing earlier this week and set to conclude on Friday, September 26, 2025, these engagements involve key professionals in the construction and urban development sectors, including architects, town planners, engineers, surveyors, builders, and real estate developers.
“A large portion of the population, such as market traders and rural dwellers, remain unaware of the legal obligation to secure a planning permit before construction,” Oluyinka explained.
“This initiative is intended to educate and build collaboration among all stakeholders,” he added.
Drawing a parallel to emphasize the significance of planning permits, the Commissioner compared them to birth certificates.
“Just as every individual is issued a birth certificate to establish identity and legal status, every building must be documented with a planning permit to ensure proper recognition and facilitate future urban planning,” he remarked.
He further stressed that planning permits are crucial not only for legal compliance but also for effective infrastructure management, property ownership verification, and as legitimate collateral for financial institutions.
Dr. Oluyinka reiterated that these permits play a vital role in maintaining orderly urban growth and enable the government to maintain accurate records of developed areas.
He warned that buildings lacking official documentation risk being excluded from future development initiatives, such as road widening projects or the provision of public utilities.
“Our outreach efforts extend to grassroots levels, beginning with schoolchildren, who represent the next generation of leaders, to instill the importance of adhering to planning regulations early on,” he noted.
The Commissioner confirmed that the government will persist with its awareness campaigns and reiterated that enforcement actions, including demolition of illegal structures, remain a possibility for those who fail to comply.
