By Our Reporter
The Lagos State Government has recorded more than 21,000 planning permit applications within a 10-month period, signalling growing compliance with development regulations and increased public confidence in the state's physical planning system.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Abiodun Oluyinka Olumide, stated this on Friday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, where he highlighted key achievements recorded by the ministry under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration.
The commissioner noted that the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) received a total of 21,603 planning permit applications between June 2025 and March 2026 and approved 17,279 of them.
Olumide, while giving a breakdown of the figure, disclosed that a total of 14,549 applications were received between June and December 2025, with 11,701 approvals granted, while 7,054 applications were submitted between January and March 2026, resulting in 5,578 approvals.
He attributed the increase in applications to sustained public sensitisation campaigns, permit regularisation initiatives and the introduction of innovative digital solutions aimed at simplifying the approval process.
The commissioner noted that the state's 60-day Planning Permit Amnesty Programme, which ran from October 1 to December 31, 2025, significantly boosted compliance among property owners and developers, saying that the programme attracted 7,198 planning permit submissions, leading to the approval of 4,113 applications.
"The amnesty programme encouraged many property owners to regularise their developments and comply with physical planning regulations," he said.
According to him, a major milestone recorded during the period was the launch of the Electronic Physical Planning Permit Processing System (e-PPPS), a digital platform that allows applicants to process planning permit applications online from any location.
He explained that the platform had enhanced transparency, accessibility, accountability and efficiency while supporting the state's ease-of-doing-business agenda.
Beyond permit administration, the commissioner said the ministry continued to strengthen development control and urban planning enforcement across the state.
Olumide disclosed that 205 estates were monitored for compliance with approved layout plans, while details of 176 illegal estates operating without layout plan approvals were published in newspapers to protect prospective property buyers from fraudulent developments.
"The ministry also intensified enforcement activities against illegal developments, leading to the demolition of 17 non-compliant structures and the sealing of 52 others following investigations into public petitions and planning infractions," he said.
According to Olumide, the Technical Services Department received 987 petitions relating to development disputes and planning violations during the review period, successfully resolving 399 of them through mediation and enforcement measures.
On urban planning, the commissioner announced the completion of the Lagos Island Model City Plan, Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan and the Revised Badagry Master Plan, which were expected to guide future infrastructure development, land-use management and sustainable growth across the state.
He added that the ministry recently approved the 79th Development Guide Plan as part of efforts to manage rapid urbanisation and promote orderly development in emerging communities.
Olumide also highlighted the achievements of the Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority (LASISMA), which intensified efforts to regulate setbacks, roadsides and other informal urban spaces.
According to him, the agency introduced the Lagos Green Kiosk initiative, designed to improve urban aesthetics, promote renewable energy and generate an estimated N1.28 billion annually for the state.
Besides, he said the agency also launched the Hybrid Solar Powered Air Compressor Pumping Machine (HYPAC), aimed at reducing air and noise pollution while improving operational efficiency among roadside vulcanisers.
The commissioner further revealed that more than 3,700 hectares of informal urban spaces had been identified in over 1,700 locations across Lagos through the Setbacks, Common Areas and Roadsides Administration and Monitoring Project (SCRAMP).
He said the initiative seeks to document, reorganise and optimise the use of public spaces, including bridge loops, powerline corridors, shorelines and railway rights-of-way, while preventing illegal encroachment.
Olumide said the achievements reflected the government's commitment to building a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive city through effective physical planning, technological innovation and strict regulatory compliance.
He assured residents that the ministry would continue to deepen reforms, strengthen development control mechanisms and leverage digital solutions to improve service delivery across Lagos.
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