Lagos approves 37,000 building permits in 6 yrs – Commissioner

Credit: NAN

The Lagos State Government, on Wednesday, revealed that the state has approved over 37,000 building permits within six years, signaling a significant expansion in the urban development efforts of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, said that the approvals, granted through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), covered a range of uses including residential, commercial, mixed-use, and institutional developments.

“In 2024 alone, LASPPPA granted planning permits for 95 hospitals, 27 petrol stations, 151 shopping malls, and 95 schools,” he said.

Highlighting the impact of the recently concluded 180-Day Amnesty Programme, Olumide described the initiative as a game-changer in the state’s efforts to bring unapproved buildings into regulatory compliance.

“The amnesty period was a massive success. Between May and December 2024, we received 18,489 applications and granted 8,856 approvals,” the commissioner said.

He broke down the programme’s performance into three phases: May to July 2024: 2,151 approvals, August to October 2024: 6,402 applications, 3,570 approvals, November to December 2024: 7,210 applications with 3,135 approvals.

Olumide noted that the post-amnesty period also saw continued momentum with 2,084 applications submitted and 1,369 approvals granted in January and February.

He encouraged property owners and developers to utilise the ministry’s planning information services to avoid common pitfalls that delay approvals.

He said such pitfalls included non-compliance with zoning regulations, exceeding permissible building limits, and deviation from approved Master Plans.

“Planning is not just a technical activity—it’s a partnership with residents to build a safe, orderly, and livable Lagos,” he said.

The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to streamlining regulatory processes and ensuring inclusive urban growth in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda of Sanwo-Olu’s administration.