The Lagos State Government on Friday published the names of 176 illegal estates operating without approved layout plans as part of efforts to curb fraudulent property developments and restore order in the built environment.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, disclosed this during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing marking the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

According to the commissioner, the ministry intensified monitoring and enforcement operations across the state, with 205 estates inspected for compliance with approved layout plans.

He explained that the exercise was aimed at promoting sustainable urban development, improving infrastructure coordination, and ensuring orderly estate development across Lagos.

“Through continuous monitoring and enforcement activities, the department contributed significantly towards reducing incidences of unregulated estate development and promoting safer, more organised, and environmentally sustainable communities across Lagos State,” Olumide said.

The commissioner also highlighted major progress recorded in planning permit administration through the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).

He revealed that between June and December 2025, the state received 14,549 planning permit applications and granted 11,701 approvals, while an additional 7,054 applications were submitted between January and March 2026, with 5,578 approvals granted.

Olumide noted that the state’s 60-day planning permit amnesty programme significantly improved compliance among property owners and developers.

On reforms in permit processing, he said the state government introduced the Electronic Physical Planning Permit Processing System (e-PPPS) to simplify and modernise permit applications.

“The platform enables applicants to process planning permit applications online from any location, thereby improving transparency, accessibility, efficiency, accountability, and ease of doing business,” he stated.

The ministry further disclosed that Lagos completed major urban planning projects during the review period, including the Lagos Island Model City Plan, Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan, and the revised Badagry Master Plan.

Olumide said the government remained committed to building a resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive city through improved urban planning and stronger regulatory enforcement.

“We recorded significant improvements in planning permit submissions and approvals as more residents and developers embraced regulatory compliance and permit regularisation initiatives introduced by the government,” he added.

The Lagos State Government also defended the cost of building permits in the state, insisting that ongoing infrastructure projects across Lagos have significantly increased property values and improved living conditions.

Responding to concerns over the perceived high cost of permits, Olumide argued that every part of Lagos was currently benefitting from one infrastructure project or another under the Sanwo-Olu administration.

“Regarding the high cost of permits, I disagree. Mention any area in Lagos that is not witnessing one infrastructure project or another. There is virtually no part of Lagos where the governor is not carrying out developmental projects,” he said.

He maintained that government investments in roads and critical infrastructure have substantially enhanced property values across the state. (The Guardian, excluding headline)

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