Lagos Intensifies Crackdown on Unapproved Estate Layouts as Grace Period Expires
The Lagos State Government has stepped up enforcement actions against property developers operating without authorised layout plans, signalling a firmer stance on irregular estate development across the state.
During a recent monitoring exercise along the Eti-Osa axis, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, declared that the government had reached the end of its tolerance threshold after previously granting erring developers ample time to comply with planning regulations.
The sensitisation tour, which targeted several flagged estates, served as the government’s final outreach before imposing sanctions.
According to Dr. Olumide, developers had been repeatedly reminded that no land subdivision, sale, or construction should proceed without the necessary approvals.
Despite these warnings, many estate promoters allegedly continued to operate outside the regulatory framework.
He stressed that such violations not only breach established planning laws but also threaten Lagos’ long-term urban development goals.
The Commissioner announced that the state had issued a last one-week ultimatum to affected estates to regularise their layout plans.
Once the deadline lapses, he said, enforcement measures, ranging from substantial financial penalties to outright demolition, would be deployed based on the severity of each breach.
He also cautioned prospective homebuyers to conduct thorough checks before purchasing property, noting that many unsuspecting buyers had previously lost funds to developments lacking proper documentation.
Verifying the planning status of an estate, he said, should be a non-negotiable step for any investor.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to orderly development and environmental protection, the state government maintained that strict adherence to planning laws is crucial to preserving the structural integrity and sustainability of Lagos’ rapidly expanding urban landscape.
