Lagos demands compliance as amnesty permit triggers application surge

The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority has reported a significant surge in applications under the ongoing Amnesty Permit window, stressing that officers must uphold strict compliance, maintain professionalism, and process all submissions efficiently, ensuring that only buildings meeting safety and planning standards receive approval.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, charged officers of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority on good ethical conduct, following the rise in applications due to the ongoing Amnesty Programme.

Olumide gave this charge recently while addressing LASPPPA’s management staff at the agency’s headquarters in Ikeja.

He said, “The increase in submissions recorded across LASPPPA district offices since the amnesty window reopened was in tandem with his expectations, as the programme, which runs from 1 November to 31 December 2025, offers property owners with existing unapproved buildings the chance to regularise their developments without paying statutory penalties, provided they meet planning and safety standards.”

The Commissioner commended the public’s swift response but stressed the need for LASPPPA officers to immediately scale up operations to manage the surge, saying, “As experienced planning officers, you must ensure faster processing, strict compliance checks, and clear communication with applicants. It is your responsibility to treat applicants with the utmost respect.

“Officers should ensure that only buildings that meet minimum acceptable standards receive approvals while reaffirming that the Amnesty Programme was not an automatic approval scheme but a purposeful initiative to promote orderly development and ensure safety within the built environment.”

He urged district officers to extend support to applicants, eliminate delays that could discourage compliance, and shun any form of shortcuts or underhanded practices, noting that applications must be handled efficiently, transparently, and with absolute professionalism.

He added, “Residents are reminded to submit their applications either through the 57 LASPPPA district offices or via the Electronic Planning Permit portal and to ensure that all required documents, including survey plans, proof of ownership, and as-built design drawings, among others, are properly compiled.”

Olumide urged property owners to take advantage of the amnesty window while it lasts, emphasising that the surge in applications showed widespread willingness to comply with planning regulations.