Lagos State Government Reintroduces Building Permit Amnesty to Accelerate Urban Compliance
Lagos State has reinstated its Planning Permit Amnesty Programme to enable property owners to regularize unapproved developments between 1 November and 31 December 2025. The renewed window follows sustained appeals from residents who were unable to complete the process during earlier phases of the programme.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, confirmed the approval in Alausa, noting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu authorised the reintroduction to address the volume of unregulated buildings across the state. The initiative marks the third amnesty period under the current administration.
According to the commissioner, the programme allows owners of existing but unapproved structures to obtain planning permits without the statutory penalties typically imposed for constructing without approval. He emphasised that the 61-day window represents a strategic effort to improve compliance while reducing the legal and financial risks that property owners face.
Requirements and Standards for Permit Regularization
The state government outlined a list of mandatory documents for applicants, including proof of ownership, a survey plan, as-built architectural drawings, and structural, electrical, and mechanical designs where applicable. Additional requirements include a non-destructive integrity test, a letter of structural stability, a Land Use Planning Analysis Report, tax compliance evidence, and other supporting documentation.
Dr Olumide clarified that all applications will be assessed strictly in line with existing town planning regulations. Only buildings that meet minimum structural and environmental standards will receive approval. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring orderly and sustainable urban development as part of the broader “Greater Lagos” agenda.
Access Channels for Applicants
Property owners and developers can submit applications through any of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority district offices across the 57 LGAs and LCDAs. An electronic application option is also available via the Electronic Planning Permit Office at LASPPPA Headquarters in Ikeja, offering a streamlined route for digital submissions.
Outlook for Developers and Investors
The extension of the amnesty programme signals the state’s intention to strengthen regulatory compliance while reducing barriers that previously hindered property regularisation. For developers, investors, and financial institutions, the initiative offers a clearer pathway for formalising assets, reducing transactional risks, and reinforcing due-diligence processes for real estate-related investments.
The government’s renewed push underscores the centrality of planning compliance to Lagos’ long-term urban development strategy, with the amnesty expected to support safer construction practices and broader confidence in the property market.
