Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared that his administration will not tolerate lawlessness in the state’s physical development, insisting that no building should be erected without a valid planning permit.
Speaking through his Deputy Chief of Staff, Samuel Egube, at a stakeholder forum organised by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) on Friday, themed “Planning Permit: The Rebirth,” the governor warned residents and estate managers against obstructing compliance officers. He stressed that such actions endanger public safety and undermine Lagos’ ambition of becoming Africa’s model megacity.
“Sometimes, some of us behave as if freedom is equal to lawlessness,” Sanwo-Olu said. “But in modern societies, freedom means predicting outcomes by obeying the laws of that environment. Our administration will not condone disobedience against officials enforcing compliance on behalf of Lagosians.”
The governor urged residents to regard planning permits not as bureaucratic obstacles but as certificates of safety, legitimacy, and long-term value for their properties, adding that Lagos’ prosperity depends on collective responsibility.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, lamented the “embarrassingly low” number of approved buildings in the state. He revealed that many developers bypass regulatory requirements, exposing lives and property to risks. He also recalled a recent incident where enforcement officers were harassed while attempting to halt work on a five-storey warehouse he described as “a calamity waiting to happen.”
“The law is clear: no physical development is allowed anywhere in Lagos without approval from the planning authority,” Olumide said. “Permits are not about punishment; they guarantee safety, protect family heritage, and add value.”
Former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Olutoyin Ayinde, in his keynote address, identified bureaucratic bottlenecks, political interference, and a revenue-first mentality as factors weakening development control. He called for a “rebirth” through streamlined approval processes, inter-agency cooperation, and greater transparency.
Other speakers, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Planning Matters, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, urged professionals—planners, architects, and engineers—to guide citizens and discourage shortcuts that compromise standards.
Representing traditional rulers, Hon. Sylvester Ogunkelu also appealed to residents to comply with building regulations, stressing that the laws are designed to protect lives, not just government interests.
General Manager of LASPPPA, Kehinde Sunday Osinaike, assured that the agency remains committed to simplifying and speeding up the permit process while making it more transparent.
Closing the forum, Sanwo-Olu charged participants to embrace a culture of compliance: “No building will rise without proper approval. Compliance must become the norm, and the rebirth we envision will deliver a safer, more liveable Lagos.”
