The Lagos State Government has automated building approval processes with the deployment of the Electronic Physical Planning Process System (EPPPS) to manage applications digitally across the state.
The disclosure was made by the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun, in a statement shared on the government’s official Facebook account on Monday.
The move marks a complete shift from manual and semi-digital systems to a fully digital platform for processing planning permits, construction approvals, and related services.
What they are saying
Abiodun said the EPPPS platform is a web-based system designed to modernise the operations of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development by improving efficiency, transparency, and service delivery.
The statement added that the transition aims to eliminate delays, reduce human interference, and ensure a more reliable approval process for developers and property owners.
- “The Lagos State Government has formally migrated from analogue and semi-digital processing of planning permits for property owners in the State.”
- “This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun, during a press conference held recently at the State Secretariat in Alausa – Ikeja,” the statement read in part.
- “The Special Adviser noted that EPPPS is a transformative, web-based platform designed to completely modernise the operations of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, which is transitioning from legacy, manual systems toward a highly efficient, transparent, and scalable digital framework.”
The statement further noted that full automation of planning permit processing took effect from April 1, 2026, effectively ending all manual applications.
More insights
The Lagos State Government warned that any attempt to process planning permits outside the EPPPS platform would be considered illegal.
It also stated that applicants must process Authorisation to Commence Construction Works and Stage Certifications through the same platform.
- A task force has been set up to monitor compliance with the new system across the state.
- All relevant personnel have been trained, while computer systems and internet infrastructure have been deployed across district offices.
- The statement also noted that the government introduced the Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP), a public-private partnership initiative involving accredited professionals to monitor building projects and enforce standards.
The initiative is expected to reduce building collapse risks and improve project delivery timelines.
The government also highlighted ongoing digitisation of land administration through dedicated e-GIS offices and backend systems to improve access to land services, enhance record security, and accelerate processes such as issuing Certificates of Occupancy and mortgage consent approvals.
Why this matters
Lagos remains Nigeria’s most populous state, with building projects emerging daily across its urban landscape.
However, many of these developments have historically proceeded without formal approval from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).
- Previous amnesty programmes allowed property owners to regularise buildings without penalties.
- Despite these efforts, unauthorised developments have continued to persist across the state.
- The government has set a yearly target of issuing between 40,000 and 45,000 building permits.
- A digital system is expected to help achieve this target more efficiently.
The introduction of a fully digital approval process is therefore seen as a critical step toward improving compliance, enhancing urban planning, and reducing the risks associated with unregulated construction.
What you should know
The Lagos State Government has made notable progress in issuing building permits in recent years as part of its urban development strategy.
The state disclosed in May 2025 that it had issued 37,266 building planning permits over six years.
- In 2024, LASPPPA approved permits for 95 hospitals. It also approved 27 petrol stations and 151 shopping malls within the same period. Additionally, permits were issued for 95 schools across the state.
- The government aims to scale approvals to 45,000 annually to match rapid urban growth.
These figures highlight the scale of development in Lagos and highlight the importance of digital tools like EPPPS in managing the state’s expanding construction ecosystem.
