The Lagos State Government has approved more than 37,000 building permits over the past six years, reflecting ongoing efforts to expand urban development under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
EpeInsights reports that the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, stated this during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
Olumide stated that the permits were granted through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and covered a range of development types, including residential, commercial, mixed-use, and institutional buildings.
In 2024 alone, the authority issued planning approvals for hospitals, petrol stations, shopping malls, and schools.
He also spoke about the recently concluded 180-Day Amnesty Programme, which he described as a major success in bringing previously unapproved buildings into compliance with regulatory standards.
Between May and December 2024, the state received 18,489 applications and approved 8,856 of them.
The performance of the amnesty programme was divided into three phases. From May to July, there were 2,151 approvals. Between August and October, 6,402 applications were submitted, with 3,570 approvals granted.
In the final phase, from November to December, 7,210 applications were received and 3,135 were approved.
Following the amnesty period, regulatory activities continued at pace. In January and February 2025, the ministry received 2,084 new applications and granted 1,369 approvals.
Dr. Olumide encouraged developers and property owners to make use of the ministry’s planning information services to avoid common issues that often delay approvals.
These include non-compliance with zoning regulations, exceeding building limits, and deviating from approved Master Plans.
He concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to improving the regulatory environment and ensuring sustainable, inclusive urban growth as outlined in the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
