ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Lagos State Government generated about N80bn in 2025 from building approval applications.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, disclosed this on Friday in Lagos during the 2026 Ministerial Briefing marking the seventh year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Olumide said charges for building approvals vary based on the size of the development and its location.
“For example, somebody developing in Ikorodu may not pay the same thing as somebody developing in Ikoyi. So that is a good example,” he said.
He explained that all payments are made through the bank, with applicants required to present payment receipts to the ministry before approvals are processed.
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“It is after getting that receipt that you come to us and show the receipt. So a copy of the receipt goes into your file here, and we process it. We don’t charge money; we don’t make it available. What we know is that at the end of the year, our total revenue will be estimated for revenue and taxation. It will display our performance. So far, we are gaining from our exercise in terms of planning and processing.
Last year, I think we got about N80bn or so,” he said.
Olumide said discrepancies in tax payments by applicants can delay building approval processes.
“Now, you have somebody who pays N200,000 as annual tax, and you bring in land, and you want to develop a N3bn building, something is not okay. You have not disclosed the right tax. So such an application would not work because your tax status is in doubt,” he added.
The commissioner warned against construction on restricted areas, including power and gas lines, saying such violations attract immediate demolition.
“Now, the condition that can warrant immediate demolition in Lagos: if you build on the gas line, we will remove it immediately. If you build on that power line, we will remove it immediately. If you build excessively and aggressively out of order, not in line with the approval granted, you can also be demolished.
Those are areas that can warrant immediate demolition. I don’t want to go into the control part,” Olumide added.
He also said distressed buildings or structures deemed unsafe could be demolished.
“If you have a distressed building, that’s another one that can warrant immediate demolition. If your building is assessed or adjudged as no longer suitable, it can be brought down immediately. So if we say a building is not suitable, take it like that. And when we say buildings are not suitable, it doesn’t mean that the demolition is done. What it simply means is, take attention,” he disclosed.
Olumide added that marking a building as distressed is usually a warning for owners to take corrective action.