SPEECH OF THE HON. COMMISSIONER FOR PHYSICAL PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, DR. OLUYINKA ABIODUN OLUMIDE IN COMMEMORATION OF 2ND YEAR OF 2ND TERM OF MR. BABAJIDE SANWO-OLU, GOVERNOR OF LAGOS
By Trek Africa Newspaper
TEXT OF THE ANNUAL MINISTERIAL PRESS BRIEFING IN COMMEMORATION OF 2ND YEAR OF THE SECOND TERM OF MR. BABAJIDE OLUSOLA SANWO-OLU, GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE, DELIVERED BY DR. OLUYINKA ABIODUN OLUMIDE, HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR PHYSICAL PLANNING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AT THE BAGAUDA KALTHO PRESS CENTRE, SECRETARIAT, ALAUSA, IKEJA ON WEDNESDAY 7TH MAY, 2025.
Protocols, Gentlemen of the Press, it is my great pleasure to address you on the achievements recorded in the sixth year of the Administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, in the physical planning sector.
This time last year, precisely May 8 2024, we reported the ongoing transformative agenda of repositioning the physical planning and urban development sector for greater and more efficient service to the good people of Lagos State.
To my delight, the twelve months that followed have seen progressive efforts towards consolidating the outcomes of that endeavor and strengthening the achievement of the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda in all fronts.
Therefore, in keeping with the determination of this administration to achieve a sustainable smart city in which a 21st century economy shall prevail, we have, within the reported period, successfully expanded the focus of this Office on Physical Development Plans, Planning Permit coverage, management of incidental open spaces, petition and physical planning and building control dispute handling as well as regulatory compliance.
This enhanced focus, achieved through laudable initiatives such as stakeholders’ collaboration, amnesty programme, physical planning summit, public enlightenment and alliance building and many more, shall form the highlights of this report.
MASTER AND MODEL CITY PLANS
To ensure that all parts of the State are covered by a Plan, the Lagos State Government, through the Office of Physical Planning, initiated or reviewed the following Plans: Ikorodu Sub-Regional Master Plan (2017 – 2037) – Completed Kosofe Model City Plan (2020 -2040) – Completed Lagos Island Model City Plan – Ongoing at 85% Completion Ibeju – Lekki Model City Plan – Ongoing at 85% Completion.
Review of Alimosho Model City Plan – Completed Review of Badagry Master Plan – Ongoing at 85% Completion Review of Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan The Ikorodu Sub-Region Master Plan, initiated in 2016 has been completed, having received the Final report from the consultants within the reported period.
Likewise, Kosofe Model City Plan, awarded in August, 2020, has been completed with the necessary milestones, including the submission of Inception and Baseline Reports, organisation of the Inception Workshop, completion of the Draft Final, Public Display and Final Stakeholders Sensitization as well as the submission of the Final Report by the Consultant (Urban Planning Smart Solutions Limited UPSSL).
Equally important is the Lagos Island Model City Plan, which is being prepared to address the fast growth of developments in Lagos Island Sub-Region, and is at 65% completion stage. The project, awarded to Messrs. Dal-Handasah, is awaiting the submission of final report, having gone through all other stages.
The Review of Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan is also at 65% completion stage while the Review of Alimosho Model City Plan is completed with the receipt of final report from the consultants, Messrs.
Corporate Castles Ltd.In the same vein, the Review of Badagry Master Plan has reached 85% completion stage as we await the submission of Final Report while the Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan project is at 85% completion stage. Like all others, the Ibeju-Lekki Model City Plan is instructive as it is required to address the observed negative effect of growth and development and manage future growth in one of the fastest-growing corridors in the State.
The project seeks to isolate the Local Government Area from the area of coverage of the existing Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan while addressing some of the issues that have been established by the inter-Ministerial Committee set up by Mr. Governor to save the corridor from Sprawling.
PREPARATION OF ACTION AREA PLANS (LOWER-ORDER PLANS)
For effective development control and sustainable environment at the local level, the Office of Physical Planning in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development accelerated the preparation of Ode-Omi and Iju Town Action Areas Plans to the extent that the Lagos State Government has, in the last six years, completed the preparation of 8(eight) Action Area Plans while 1(one) is ongoing: Ise Town – Completed Pota/Igborosu – Completed Ikoga Town – CompletedObawole Town – Completed Ijegun-Egba – Completed Ijagemo Town- Completed Ijeododo Town – Completed Ode-Omi – Completed Iju Town – Ongoing.
PREPARATION OF DEVELOPMENT GUIDE PLANS FOR EXCISED VILLAGES
To, among others, make the Excised Villages more sustainable and address the need to extend physical planning administration to Non-Schemed Areas, the Office has ensured the completion and approval for use of a total of 9(nine) Development Guide Plans initiated for Awoyaya, Orimedu and Eleputu in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, and Sangotedo, Langbasa and Onikoyi in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
Others are Suberu-Oje in Alimosho Local Government Area, Apa in Badagry LGA and Ketu-Ijanikin in Ojo LGA.
APPROVAL OF LAYOUT PLANS
As part of its statutory responsibilities, the Office of Physical Planning received a total of 77 Applications, granted 35 Provisional Layout Plan Approvals and 6 Final Layout Plan Approvals between 2024 and April 2025.
MONITORING OF ESTATES
During the period under review, a total of 36 estates were monitored for compliance by the Office of Physical Planning, through its routine monitoring of Estate developments. The aim of the monitoring exercise is to ensure compliance with the Layout Plans approval granted by the Office and achieve a sustainable environment in line with the State Government development blueprint.
The outcome of the exercise has been an increase in the level of compliance to Approvals granted for estate developments and an increase in the number of applications for Layout Plan Approval.
DELIVERY OF RIGHT OF WAY (RoW)
The Office of Physical Planning facilitated road expansion and construction projects in the State by carrying out the delivery of the requisite Right of Way for public projects in Lagos State.
The Office, through the Development Matters Department, carried out the Delivery of RoW of 62(nos.) projects from 2019- 2021, 20 (nos.) projects from 2022-2023 and 4 (nos.) projects in 2025.
Altogether, the Delivery of Right of Way of 86(nos.) projects have been carried out under the Administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State.
TREATMENT OF COMPLAINTS/ PETITIONS & PROVISION OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
During the period being reported, the Office of Physical Planning, through its Technical Service Department (TSD), provided technical support services to other MDAs in areas of Physical Planning and Development Issues.
In the same vein, the Office received and investigated petitions submitted by aggrieved members of the public and whistleblowers, relating to land use and development disputes as well as perceived physical planning infractions.
A significant 70.24% of cases were resolved through mediation to prevent costly litigation and minimise the burden on the courts. A mediation resolution rate of 70.24% demonstrates the Office’s effectiveness in resolving majority of petitions amicably, minimising the need for enforcement actions and reducing the burden of enforcement and litigation.
However, in instances where violations were severe, not condonable, or mediation proved unsuccessful, the Office enforced compliance through regulatory actions, including, service of statutory Notices, Sealing of contravening properties and/or Removal of illegal developments (where necessary).
It is noteworthy that 1.98% of cases required total removal, while 0.4% required sealing, indicating the Office’s firm but balanced approach.
PETITIONS TO THE LAGOS STATE PHYSICAL PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL APPEALS COMMITTEE
The Physical Planning and Building Control Appeals Committee Received 95 petitions against government agencies, individuals, and public officials. The Committee conducted hearings on all 95 petitions and delivered decisions on 35 of them, while 28 petitions are still ongoing.
The Appeals Committee struck out 32 petitions due to petitioners failing to respond or returning to court.
STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT/ PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT
The Office of Physical Planning continued with its principle of carrying along its Stakeholders with its plans, programme and activities.
In line with the maxim of planning with the people (and not planning for the people), the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, deepens its bottom-up approach to physical planning through regular stakeholders’ engagements on various issues, including Master and Model City Plan preparation/Review process, process of Delivering Right of Way of Public Projects and sensitisation on policies and new initiatives e.g. Extension of the initial 90-Day Amnesty Programme on planning Permit.
Other participatory approaches of the Office include engagement with members of professional bodies in the built environment, engagement with students of Urban and Regional Planning and allied courses in tertiary institutions and engagement with media Stakeholders as we are having today.
NEW INITIATIVES
To address emerging challenges and enhance governance in the Lagos State built environment, the Office of Physical Planning embarked on new initiatives, geared towards repositioning the sector for better service delivery and investment as proposed in Operative Development Plans.
The followings are the new initiatives that the Office embarked upon within the reported period: Lagos Physical Planning Summit Inter-Agency Collaboration to streamline regulatory procedure in the built environment 180-Day Amnesty Programme Manpower Capacity Enhancement.
LAGOS PHYSICAL PLANNING SUMMIT (LPPS)
The Lagos Physical Planning Summit was conceived as a biennial international forum of stakeholders that will explore strategies for addressing pressing issues of implementation, investment, sustainability and physical planning service delivery.
The maiden LPPS 2024 was themed “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity” and was held at Eko Hotel & Suits, Victoria Island on 15th and 16th October, 2024.
The Keynote Lecture was delivered by former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON.
The Summit drew participation from far and wide, including Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly and National Assembly, Serving and former members of the Lagos State Executive Council, members of the international community, professional institutions, the business community and the academia, some of who served as speakers, moderators and panelists.
The Summit came up with profound resolutions drawn from the engaging keynote lecture, Mr. Governor’s Welcome Address, panel discussions and interactive sessions.
Key resolutions include placing emphasis on integrating Lagos with its neighbouring regions to foster sustainable growth through interconnected economic and cultural activities, streamlining the Planning Permit process, reducing fees, and minimising bureaucratic delays to improve the ease of doing business in the Lagos Megacity and reviewing the existing land tenure and environmental laws to enable more effective urban planning and development, among others.
INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION TO STREAMLINE REGULATORY PROCEDURE IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
In line with the recommendation of the maiden Lagos Physical Planning Summit, the Office of Physical Planning has initiated a move to enhance collaboration among MDAs in the built environment.
The essence of this initiative is to streamline regulatory procedure, improve public experience and enhance the ease of doing business in Lagos State.
It will help in addressing the challenge of overlapping functions, capacity gaps and delays in the sector.
180-DAY AMNESTY PROGRAMME
In addition to the initial 90-day amnesty period to property owners and developers of existing developments from 2nd May to 30th July, 2024, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu graciously granted an extension of the amnesty period by 90 days from 1st August to 31st December, 2024, making a total of 180-day amnesty period granted.
The initiative was to improve building Approval coverage in the State by allowing owners/ developers of existing buildings to obtain Planning Permits without the payment of statutory penal fees within the amnesty window.
LASPPPA Head Office and District Offices in the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas experienced a surge in Planning Permit Application and increase in revenue during the amnesty window. It is worthy of note that the initiative created awareness, brought many into the Approval net as more buildings now have Approvals.
MANPOWER CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT
Aware that driving a vibrant physical planning and urban development sector of the Lagos Megacity requires a well-motivated, humane and skillful workforce with updated professional knowledge, the Office of Physical Planning has ensured the regular attendance of professional conferences and training programmes by members of staff.
There has been several professional engagements of the Honourable Commissioner and Permanent Secretary with Town Planning Officers in the public service.In addition, the State Government has employed additional 173 Town Planning Officers between Grade Levels 08 and 10 to bridge the skill gap while the Office of Physical Planning instituted a quarterly Outstanding Officers’ Award to promote excellence.
Winners of the first quarter year2025 Award are Mr. Abari Mustapha in the senior category and Mr. Shokunbi Olajide Ibrahim in the junior category.
2024 WORLD HABITAT DAY CELEBRATION
The Office of Physical Planning coordinated the celebration of the World Habitat Day 2024 with the Theme: Engaging Youth to Create A Better Urban Future.
The global observance of the Day was to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the role of youth in development while reminding the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
The celebration in Lagos involved Lecture, Panel Discussions, Drama and Exhibition.y
LAGOS STATE PHYSICAL PLANNING PERMIT AUTHORITY (LASPPPA) PLANNING PERMIT SUBMISSION & APPROVAL FOR 2019– MARCH 2025
In the last six 6years, LASPPPA received a total of 57,347 applications for Planning Permits for various uses and granted 37, 266 Approvals within the same period. The uses applied for included residential, commercial, mixed-use and institutional among others.
For instance in 2024, the Authority granted Approvals for 95 Hospitals, 27 Petrol Filling Stations, 151 Shoping Malls and 95 Schools, among others.
PLANNING PERMIT SUBMISSION & APPROVAL FOR MAY – DECEMBER 2024(1ST, 2nd & 3rd PHASE OF AMNESTY PERIOD)
Within the first phase of Amnesty (May-July, 2024). 4,877 applications for Planning Permits were received for various uses, including residential, commercial, mixed-use and institutional among others, while 2, 151 Approvals were granted within the same period.
For the second phase of the Amnesty Period, August – October, 2024, 3,570 Approvals were granted out of 6,402 Applications. In the third phase of the Amnesty Period (November – December), 3,135 Approvals were granted from 7,210 Applications.
To enhance the Planning Permit coverage in Lagos State, LASPPPA embarked on various initiatives, including the decentralisation and creation of additional District Offices, human capacity building and the establishment of a framework for “Operation 10-Day deal” for Planning Permit processing.
Others are awareness programme and the subsequent intensive enforcement activities.
LAGOS STATE PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AUTHORITY (LASPEMA)
Within the period being reported, LASPEMA carried out the following activities: Real-time Data Gathering and Collation of Operators on the Informal Urban Spaces, making LAPEMA a repository of Information for the Lagos State Government and other MDAs.
Continuous Strategic Partnerships with Corporate Organisations ( PPP) to actualise collaborative efforts for a well-planned City – A Greater LagosIncreased and continuous Installation of Bollards for the proper demarcation of economic areas from walkways across the City Organisation of Stakeholders’ Meetings towards the Transformation of the Incidental Open Spaces at Sabo-Itokin by Ile-Epo Oba, Ikorodu North LCDA.
Preparation of Strategic Action Plans for re-ordering of selected densely populated Informal Urban Spaces in alignment with Operative Development Plans (ODP) of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPP & UD) to enhance the implementation of the State’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda to make Lagos State Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Completed Transformation Action Plans: (i). Abule Egba Informal Urban Space (ii). Sabo – Ikorodu North Informal Urban Space (iii). Oko – Oba, Agege Abattoir Canal Informal Open Space Collaboration for Proposed partnership on innovative Sustainable Solar-Powered Kiosks across Lagos for an eco-friendly Landscape Strategic collaboration with the other MDAs, including Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation (OTCI), Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Ministry of Transportation (MOT), Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), Lagos State Parks & Gardens Agency (LASPARK) and Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) Proposed standardization of urban furniture through initiatives like Hybrid Solar Powered Air Compressor Pumping Machine and standardized kiosk design to among others enhance physical orderliness and capture a comprehensive database of Informal operators on the Setbacks.
CONCLUSION
Dear pen pushers, the vision of a Lagos Smart City that begins with devising and executing appropriate Plans is a collective one.
On this premise, I urge you all not to renege on the noble crusade of encouraging our people to embrace the principle of Build Right, which connotes compliance with regulatory provisions in the built environment.
As members of the fourth estate of the realm, the slogan “see something; say something” aptly resonates with you and should be strictly applied to promoting adherence to the Physical Planning Laws of Lagos State, in order to bring about a safe, orderly, livable and sustainable Lagos physical environment.Without a doubt, the Administration led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is waxing stronger in its commitment to the built environment of Lagos Stated as indicated by the laudable achievements and initiatives recorded in the sector in the past six years.
However, we can achieve more with your cooperation in bringing valuable information, education and enlightenment to our people.
As noted by Forester (1999), physical planning is not just a technical exercise but a social and political process that requires the participation of all stakeholders.
At this point, I thank Mr. Governor, Mr. Sellable, Mr. Talk-and-do for his visionary and proactive leadership, and unequalled commitment to the development of Lagos State.
To my co-travellers in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, especially the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire, all Heads of Agencies and the entire Management and Staff of the Office of Physical Planning, I say a big thank you for your steadfastness, hard work and support. I will also like to extend my appreciation to the management and staff of the Ministry of Information and Strategy for this wonderful opportunity.
I say kudos to the Honourable Commissioner and Permanent Secretary, and their representatives in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and its agencies. Thank you all for your attention.
Igbega Ipinle Eko, Ajumose Gbogbo Wa Ni
Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide
Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development
Wednesday May 7, 2025
