The Lagos State Government has identified 176 illegal estate developments, predominantly located across Eti-Osa, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe, and issued a 21-day ultimatum to their developers to initiate layout approval processes.
EpeInsights reports that the announcement was made public on Monday through a document released by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, which listed estates found to be operating without approved layouts, thereby violating the state’s physical planning laws.
According to the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, the estates were flagged for compromising the sustainable development goals of the state and for undermining the implementation of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, the state’s blueprint for urban resilience and smart growth.
“These illegal estates are in breach of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law.
They have failed to obtain layout approvals from the Ministry, which is a fundamental requirement for any public or private development,” Sotire stated.
Some of the listed estates include Adron Homes, Elerangbe; Aina Gold Estate, Okun-Folu; Diamond Estate, Eputu; Prime Water View Garden, Ikate Elegushi; and Royal View Estate, Ikota, among others.
Developers of these estates have been directed to submit necessary documentation within 21 days to the Ministry at the Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, to regularize their developments.
Sotire noted that this compliance drive is a routine regulatory function, in line with the Ministry’s mandate to foster an organised and functional cityscape, aligned with Lagos’s evolving status as a smart megacity.
“Layout approvals ensure that developments adhere to planning standards. They help avoid chaotic urban sprawl, and safeguard infrastructure, utilities, and environmental resources,” he said.
The Ministry also emphasized the need for real estate developers and practitioners to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), the agency responsible for regulating and monitoring the sector.
“We urge all developers to work within the framework established by LASRERA and the Ministry to ensure transparency, safety, and sustainability in real estate operations across Lagos State,” the statement added.
The government’s crackdown comes amid growing concerns about unregulated real estate expansion, particularly in rapidly developing corridors such as Ibeju-Lekki, where demand for land and housing continues to surge.
With this move, Lagos reiterates its stance on planned urban development, and warns that failure to comply within the stipulated 21 days may lead to enforcement actions, including possible demolition or sanctions.
