The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, has stated that a total of 52 buildings were sealed within the last 12 months pending a court decision.
Olumide disclosed this last week in Ikeja, Lagos, while speaking during the 2026 Ministerial Briefing in commemoration of the seventh year in office of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Lagos State Governor.
He added that within the period under review, the agency recorded a 47.76 per cent resolution rate.
He added that, as part of efforts to ensure orderly development and strengthen public confidence in physical planning administration, the department intensified mediation and conflict resolution mechanisms relating to development disputes and public complaints.
“A total number of 987 petitions were received; 399 petitions were successfully resolved through mediation, 17 were removed, 52 were sealed, and pending cases under investigation were 519, representing a percentage of 47.76 per cent resolution rate. This achievement significantly reduced litigation burdens, minimised enforcement conflicts and strengthened public confidence in the ministry’s dispute resolution framework,” he said.
According to him, the department also continues to provide technical advisory services to agencies and stakeholders on physical planning matters while supporting enforcement operations aimed at eliminating illegal and non-conforming developments across the state.
The commissioner stressed that the Technical Services Department equally participated in inter-agency technical reviews and consultations on strategic development projects to ensure compliance with approved standards and planning regulations.
Olumide highlighted that, in line with the principle of “Planning with the People and not for the People”, the ministry deepened stakeholder engagement and public participation in physical planning administration across the state.
He pointed out that stakeholders’ engagement activities carried out during the period included sensitisation programmes on planning policies and initiatives, engagements with professional bodies in the built environment, meetings with South-West Commissioners of Physical Planning and Urban Development, media advocacy and enlightenment programmes, and public awareness campaigns on planning permit regularisation.
“The ministry also strengthened strategic partnerships and international collaborations through visits to Alaro City and the Lekki Free Trade Zone with the European Union Delegation. Furthermore, the ministry hosted the inaugural meeting of South-West Commissioners of Physical Planning and Urban Development aimed at fostering regional collaboration and policy integration on urban development matters,” he stated.
Olumide added that public sensitisation programmes were intensified to improve awareness on the importance of planning permits, compliance with planning regulations and sustainable urban development.
“The ministry also organised media advocacy programmes and strategic communication initiatives to ensure wider dissemination of information on government policies, planning reforms and environmental sustainability initiatives,” he stressed.
These engagements, Olumide added, further enhanced collaboration between government, professional institutions, development partners, investors and residents towards achieving orderly physical development across the state.
He reiterated that the ministry remains committed to sustaining participatory planning mechanisms that encourage inclusiveness, transparency and collaboration in policy formulation and implementation.
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