The Lagos State Government has recorded significant progress in urban development with the review and implementation of Master and Model City Plans across the state over the past years.
The state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said this at the annual Ministerial Press Briefing, to mark Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, on Wednesday, in Ikeja.
Olumide said that Sanwo-Olu’s administration was committed to transforming Lagos State into a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable smart city, in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda.
“In the past 12 months, we have expanded our focus on physical development plans, permit coverage, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance,” the commissioner said.
He said among the major accomplishments cited were the completion of the Ikorodu Sub-Regional Master Plan (2017–2037) and the Kosofe Model City Plan (2020–2040).
He added that the Lagos Island, Ibeju-Lekki, and Badagry plans saw significant progress – each reaching around 85 per cent completion.
According to him, these plans are the blueprint for sustainable development.
Olumide highlighted the importance of data-driven growth management in fast-developing corridors like Ibeju-Lekki.
He said in addition to macro-level plans, the government had completed Action Area Plans for towns such as Ode-Omi and Obawole, bringing the total number to eight, with Iju Town still in the work
.
The commissioner said nine Development Guide Plans for excised villages, including Sangotedo, Suberu-Oje, and Ketu-Ijanikin, were also finalised.
He said 36 estates were monitored during the review period to ensure compliance with approved layouts.
According to Olumide, the effort led to “greater adherence to regulatory guidelines and a rise in layout plan applications.”
On Right of Way (RoW) Mediation, and Permits, he said from 2019 to 2025, the government facilitated 86 RoW deliveries to aid public infrastructure projects.
He noted that petitions and disputes saw a 70.24 per cent resolution rate through mediation, reducing the need for legal action.
On development control, Olumide said the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority received over 57,000 planning permit applications between 2019 and March 2025, granting more than 37,000.
This, he said, included approvals for essential infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and shopping malls.
He noted that the recently concluded 180-day Amnesty Programme also helped bring unregistered buildings into the regulatory net, resulting in a surge of applications and revenue.
Olumide said the ministry had continued its participatory planning approach through town hall meetings, public sensitisation, and professional engagement.
He noted the inaugural Lagos Physical Planning Summit, held in October 2024, emerged as a landmark event.
He said the former Gov. Babatunde Fashola, delivered the keynote address, with resolutions focusing on streamlined regulatory procedures and regional integration.
To address emerging challenges, he said the Ministry launched new initiatives including manpower enhancement, the recruitment of 173 town planning officers, and quarterly performance recognition awards.
The commissioner said the Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority had continued efforts to organise informal urban spaces.
He noted that projects in Abule Egba, Sabo-Ikorodu, and Oko-Oba were transformed through stakeholder partnerships and urban furniture standardisation initiatives.
He said that Bollards were installed to protect pedestrian walkways, and solar-powered kiosks and air compressor pumps would soon be deployed in key locations.
Olumide expressed his gratitude to Sanwo-Olu, describing him as “Mr Sellable” and “Mr Talk-and-do,” for his proactive leadership and unwavering commitment to urban reform.
He said: “Planning is not just a technical task—it’s a social contract.”
