Lagos Government targets 45,000 building permits per year to keep pace with urban development

Lagos The state government has set a target to issue up to 45,000 building permits per year as part of its efforts to regulate development and keep pace with rapid urban growth in the state.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, disclosed this at a press conference in Nigeria on Wednesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Alausa He explained that the ministry processed about 18,000 building permit applications in 2024, but needed to increase the number to 40,000 to 45,000 per year to achieve its development goals.

NAN reports: “Oluyinka revealed that the ministry processed about 18,000 building permit applications in 2024, but this number needs to increase to 40,000 to 45,000 per year in order to achieve the state’s development goals.”

The Commissioner also stated: “Our assessment showed that

40,000 to 45,000 building permits should be issued annually. “We are far below this mark, so we have decided to reach out to the grassroots and raise awareness among the public and key stakeholders. Lagos Oluyinka likened a building permit to a building’s birth certificate, stressing that it provides legal recognition, supports national planning, and ensures that landowners are entitled to compensation when land is acquired for infrastructure projects. He warned that buildings constructed without permits could face fines and demolition.

Further insights

The Commissioner noted that residents can submit applications through any of the 57 zonal offices across the state, without the need for intermediaries.

Applicants must provide proof of land ownership and valid tax certificates. Approval is expected within 10 working days of completing the required documentation.

He also added that the government is working with federal tax authorities to streamline requirements and improve compliance, as many applicants do not comply with tax regulations.

He urged residents to view permits as an investment in legality and security, noting that properties without valid permits cannot be used for banking, embassy, ​​or legal transactions.

• This announcement comes ahead of a week-long stakeholder event, “Building Permits: Rebirth,”
• , which will include meetings with architects, engineers, developers, urban planners, market leaders, and students to foster a culture of voluntary compliance.

You should know: is Nigeria’s most populous state, with new construction projects popping up daily across the state. However, many of these developments never receive formal approval from the State Building Permitting and Development Authority (LASPPPA). Against this backdrop, the state government has now announced a new annual target of 40,000 to 45,000 building permits, highlighting the disparity between current approval levels and the scale of urban development across the state.

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Lagos