The Lagos State Government on Wednesday warned homeowners across the state to obtain building planning permits or face strict sanctions, including demolition.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, issued the warning at a news conference in Alausa, Ikeja, ahead of the 2025 Stakeholders’ Engagement themed “Planning Permit: The Rebirth.”
According to him, only 18,000 applications for planning permits were submitted in 2024, far short of the expected 45,000. He noted that the government would no longer consider buildings without valid permits for compensation when affected by development projects.
Dr. Oluyinka explained that professional bodies have been engaged to help enlighten residents, particularly at the grassroots, on the need to comply. He stressed that planning permits are standard global practice and essential for orderly development in a megacity like Lagos.
He warned that after the ongoing sensitization drive, defaulting buildings would face demolition in line with the state’s Building Codes Law.