Lagos State recorded 27,233 building violations between May 2023 and April 2026 as enforcement of physical planning regulations intensified across the state.
The figures were disclosed at the 2026 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing held by the Lagos State Government.
The update formed part of a broader review of urban renewal and development control activities within the period.
The data reflects ongoing monitoring of construction activity across high-growth corridors as the state continues to expand its urban footprint.
What they are saying
The Lagos State Government said the violations were identified through enforcement operations carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
Special Adviser to the Governor on the Office of E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, said LASBCA uncovered the infractions across different parts of the state.
- He stated that 27,233 cases involved developers and property owners found to have breached physical planning regulations between May 2023 and April 2026.
- Babatunde also disclosed that 4,711 developers obtained “Authorisation to Commence Construction” for approved projects within the same period.
- “In the area of building regulation, he disclosed that the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, between May 2023 to April 2026 discovered 27,233 building violations involving developers and property owners across the state, while 4,711 developers obtained ‘Authorization to Commence Construction’ on approved projects,” the statement read.
The government said enforcement actions are ongoing across identified locations in the state.
More insights
The briefing also highlighted ongoing urban renewal projects in several communities, including Oworonshoki, Obalende, Otumara, Katangowa in Agbado/Oke Odo, Lakowe Phase II in Ibeju-Lekki, Adeniji Adele Estate, and parts of Lagos Island.
- The interventions focus on upgrading infrastructure, addressing drainage challenges, and reducing unplanned development.
- The state said it is also strengthening land administration and spatial planning through digital systems under the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA).
It further referenced the relocation of Oko-Baba sawmill operators to the Agbowa-Owu-Ikosi Timberville facility in Epe, which is being developed with supporting infrastructure, including drainage systems, a health centre, police post, fire service station, perimeter fencing, and sanitation facilities.
What you should know
The land mass of Lagos State has been expanding over time as development activities, particularly land reclamation projects, continue to reshape parts of the state for residential, commercial, and infrastructure use.
The state’s land area has increased from 3,577 square kilometres to 4,050 square kilometres due to ongoing reclamation efforts carried out for development purposes.
- While these reclaimed areas are opening up new opportunities for real estate and infrastructure development, authorities say some projects have proceeded without required planning approvals and regulatory clearances. This has contributed to enforcement actions by physical planning and building control agencies across the state.
Meanwhile, Lagos State has introduced the Electronic Physical Planning Process System (EPPPS), a digital platform for processing building approvals and planning permits.
The government has warned that any application processed outside the EPPPS platform is considered illegal. All applications for Authorisation to Commence Construction Works and Stage Certifications must now be submitted through the system.
The reforms also tie into the state’s broader effort to formalise development activity and improve planning control. Lagos has set a target of issuing up to 45,000 building permits annually to manage rising demand.
Over the past six years, the state issued 37,266 building planning permits across residential, commercial, and institutional developments, according to official data presented at a May 2025 ministerial briefing.
