The Lagos State Government has set a target of issuing up to 45,000 building permits each year to better regulate development and keep pace with the state’s rapid urban expansion.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, revealed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Alausa, according to the NAN.

He noted that the ministry handled about 18,000 planning permit applications in 2024 but must raise the number to between 40,000 and 45,000 annually to meet its development objectives.

“Oluyinka disclosed that the ministry processed about 18,000 planning permit applications in 2024 but needed to double the figure to match the state’s development goals,” the report read in part.

The commissioner was further quoted as saying, “Our assessment shows that Lagos should be issuing between 40,000 and 45,000 planning permits annually.

“We are far below this mark, which is why we have chosen to go back to the grassroots to sensitise the public and key stakeholders.”

Oluyinka compared a planning permit to a building’s birth certificate, emphasizing that it grants legal recognition, aids government planning, and secures property owners’ rights to compensation when land is acquired for infrastructure projects.

He cautioned that structures erected without approval face penalties and possible demolition.

He added that residents can submit applications directly at any of the 57 district offices across the state, without the need for intermediaries.

Applicants are required to present proof of land ownership and an up-to-date tax clearance, with approvals expected within 10 working days once all documents are in order.

Oluyinka added that the state government is working with federal tax authorities to simplify requirements and boost compliance, noting that many applicants currently fall short on tax obligations.

He urged residents to view permits as an investment in legality and safety, stressing that properties without valid approvals cannot be used for banking, embassy, or other legal transactions.

Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous state, witnesses new building projects daily, yet many of these developments proceed without formal approval from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority.

To tackle the problem, the state government introduced an amnesty programme on May 2, 2024, initially set for 90 days but later extended until December 31, 2024. The initiative enabled property owners to regularise their buildings without penalties, attracting over 18,000 applications and resulting in more than 8,800 approvals.

Despite this progress, government data shows that only 37,266 permits were issued in the state over the past six years.