The Lagos State Government has reiterated that all buildings within its jurisdiction must obtain permits from the State, with the exception of those meant strictly for defence or designated as national edifices.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, stated this in a Facebook post on Monday, clarifying ongoing debates over the State’s right to enforce development laws in federal-owned properties. He earlier spoke during an interview on Arise Television’s The Morning Show.
“States have absolute right to grant permits and approvals over any building, except buildings for defence or those to be used for national edifices. But whether the land belongs to the Federal Government or not, intending developers still have to get a permit from the Lagos State Government, because the 1992 law is domesticated in Lagos State,” Omotoso wrote.
His comments follow the removal of illegal buildings and structures erected on road setbacks and drainage channels at the popular Trade Fair Complex. The action sparked arguments over whether Lagos had authority to regulate development on federal land.
Omotoso maintained that the exercise was lawful, stressing that it was aimed at preventing flooding, curbing environmental degradation, and preserving order in the megacity. He cited the 1992 Regional and Urban Planning Law and a 2003 Supreme Court judgment as the basis for the State’s powers.
The Commissioner recalled that some monitoring officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development were assaulted and detained during an inspection of the complex in 2024, and had to be rescued by security agencies. Despite that, he said, government extended amnesty windows and invited stakeholders for dialogue, offers that were rejected.
“The decision to remove the offending structures was not impromptu,” Omotoso stressed, noting that the amnesty period originally ran from May to July 2024 and was later extended till December 31, 2024.
He urged residents and prospective developers to acquaint themselves with the relevant laws, secure proper approvals, and follow due process before building.
“The law is clear. If you follow due process, you will always be on the right side of it,” Omotoso added.
