Lagos State Government Launches Online Platform for Diaspora Property Owners to Resolve Land Use Charge Disputes
The Lagos State Government has introduced an online platform enabling property owners in the Diaspora to resolve Land Use Charge (LUC) complaints remotely between 8 and 28 October 2025. The initiative, implemented through the Land Use Charge Assessment Appeal Tribunal (LUCAAT), is designed to simplify dispute resolution and improve accessibility for Nigerians abroad.
The announcement, made via the Lagos State Government’s official Facebook page on Wednesday, outlines a process that allows affected property owners to schedule and attend virtual sessions from anywhere in the world. The government described the process as simple, secure, and efficient, requiring participants to provide key details such as their Demand Notice Number, name, email address, WhatsApp number, and property usage type.
The property categories recognised under the system include Owner-Occupied (Residential), Owner and Third-Party Occupied (Residential), Third-Party Only (Non-Resident), Commercial Property (Business Use), Vacant Property, Open Empty Land, and Agricultural Land.
Improving Efficiency in Revenue Administration
According to LUCAAT, the online resolution process is part of Lagos State’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving governance efficiency and public service delivery. By reducing the need for physical appearances, the platform is expected to streamline case handling, shorten complaint resolution time, and enhance compliance among property owners outside Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Finance, who oversees LUC operations, noted that the online system was developed to ensure transparency and fairness in the appeal process. “Our goal is to make engagement seamless for property owners, regardless of location,” the statement read.
Understanding the Land Use Charge Framework
The Land Use Charge, established under the Lagos State Land Use Charge Law 2020, consolidates three existing taxes ground rent, tenement rate, and neighbourhood improvement charges—into a single annual payment. The law mandates that all property owners, including long-term lessees and landlords earning rental income, remit the charge annually.
The LUC serves as one of Lagos State’s critical internally generated revenue sources. In 2024, the government projected ₦700 million in revenue from the charge, with ₦300 million recorded by April of that year, according to official budget performance reports.
Certain properties, however, remain exempt under the law. These include properties owned and occupied by pensioners, public libraries, non-profit cemeteries, palaces of traditional rulers, and religious buildings used exclusively for worship or education. To qualify for exemption, eligible owners must submit applications with supporting documentation to the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance.
The introduction of the remote resolution mechanism represents a step towards improving trust and accountability in Lagos’s property tax system. For years, complaints around assessment accuracy and the difficulty of lodging appeals have discouraged compliance among both local and diaspora property owners.
By digitising the appeal process, the government aims to strengthen engagement with Nigerians abroad and encourage greater participation in the state’s property revenue system.
Conclusion:
The launch of LUCAAT’s online platform signals Lagos State’s commitment to modernising its revenue administration and easing compliance for property owners worldwide. As the initiative rolls out, its success will likely depend on user adoption, technical reliability, and sustained transparency in the appeal process.
