Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, announced that the Planning Permit Amnesty Programme recorded a high number of applications in 2024, as property owners across the state sought to regularise their buildings.

He shared this information at a Ministerial Press Briefing held by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in Lagos on Wednesday. Olumide stated that the applications included residential, commercial, mixed-use, and institutional properties.

Between May and July (phase one), 4,877 applications were received with 2,151 approvals. The second phase (August to October) saw 6,402 applications, of which 3,570 were approved. In the final phase (November to December), 7,210 applications were submitted and 3,135 permits granted.

He said, “Within the first phase of Amnesty (May-July 2024). 4,877 applications for Planning Permits were received for various uses, including residential, commercial, mixed-use, and institutional, among others, while 2,151 approvals were granted within the same period.

During the second phase of the amnesty period (August to October 2024), 3,570 planning permits were approved from a total of 6,402 applications. In the third phase (November to December), 3,135 approvals were issued out of 7,210 submitted applications.

“To enhance the Planning Permit coverage in Lagos State, LASPPPA embarked on various initiatives, including the decentralisation and creation of additional district offices, human capacity building, and the establishment of a framework for ‘Operation 10-Day deal’ for Planning Permit processing. Others are awareness programmes and the subsequent intensive enforcement activities.”

He stated that from May to December 2024, a total of 18,489 planning permit applications were submitted across the three phases of the amnesty period, which was introduced to promote adherence to development regulations.

Altogether, 8,856 planning permits were approved during the eight-month amnesty period, reflecting a strong turnout from property owners and developers eager to legalise their structures.

The initiative—introduced by planning authorities—sought to simplify the permit process, foster orderly urban growth, and update data for infrastructure planning. Officials described the public response as promising, noting that the programme improved regulatory compliance and reduced the volume of unapproved buildings across the state.

In 2024, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority offered this amnesty window specifically for owners and developers with completed buildings lacking official planning permits. The amnesty period, which lasted from May 2 to December 31, 2024, allowed property owners to secure planning permits without incurring the typical penalties for constructing without prior approval. Following the conclusion of the initiative, the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) began compliance monitoring and is now set to enforce penalties on buildings that remain unpermitted.

Addressing the data on planning permit applications and approvals from 2019 to March 2025, the Commissioner stated that the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) received a total of 57,347 applications over the six-year period, out of which 37,266 permits were approved for various types of developments.

“The uses applied for included residential, commercial, mixed-use, and institutional, among others. For instance, in 2024, the authority granted approvals for 95 hospitals, 27 petrol filling stations, 151 shopping malls, and 95 schools, among others.”

In discussing the preparation of development guide plans for excised villages, Olumide highlighted the efforts to enhance the sustainability of these areas and extend physical planning administration to Non-Schemed Areas. 

He mentioned that nine Development Guide Plans have been completed and approved for use. These plans cover areas such as Awoyaya, Orimedu, and Eleputu in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Sangotedo, Langbasa, and Onikoyi in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, as well as Suberu-Oje in Alimosho LGA, Apa in Badagry LGA, and Ketu-Ijanikin in Ojo LGA.

He added, “As part of its statutory responsibilities, the Office of Physical Planning received a total of 77 applications, granted 35 Provisional Layout Plan Approvals and six Final Layout Plan Approvals between 2024 and April 2025.”

Olumide emphasized the Lagos State Government's efforts to ensure comprehensive planning across the state through the Office of Physical Planning. He highlighted the completion of several key plans, including the Ikorodu Sub-Regional Master Plan (2017–2037), the Kosofe Model City Plan (2020–2040), and the review of the Alimosho Model City Plan.

Ongoing projects include the Lagos Island Model City Plan and the Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan, both at 85% completion, as well as the review of the Badagry Master Plan, which is also 85% complete.

He continued, “The Ikorodu Sub-Region Master Plan, initiated in 2016, has been completed, having received the Final report from the consultants within the reported period. Likewise, Kosofe Model City Plan, awarded in August 2020, has been completed with the necessary milestones, including the submission of Inception and Baseline Reports, organisation of the Inception Workshop, completion of the Draft Final, Public Display and Final Stakeholders Sensitisation as well as the submission of the Final Report by the Consultant (Urban Planning Smart Solutions Limited).

“Equally important is the Lagos Island Model City Plan, which is being prepared to address the fast growth of developments in Lagos Island Sub-Region and is at 65 per cent completion stage. The project, awarded to Messrs. Dal-Handasah, is awaiting the submission of the final report, having gone through all other stages. The Review of Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan is also at 65 per cent completion stage, while the Review of Alimosho Model City Plan is completed with the receipt of the final report from the consultants, Messrs. Corporate Castles Ltd.

The commissioner also mentioned that the review of the Badagry Master Plan is 85% complete, with the government awaiting the submission of the Final Report. Similarly, the Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan project is also at 85% completion.

He added, “Like all others, the Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan is instructive as it is required to address the observed negative effects of growth and development and manage future growth in one of the fastest-growing corridors in the state. The project seeks to isolate the Local Government Area from the area of coverage of the existing Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan while addressing some of the issues that have been established by the inter-Ministerial Committee set up by Mr. Governor to save the corridor from Sprawling.”