Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, announced that a vast majority of buildings in Ibeju Lekki lack official approval, with estimates suggesting up to 80% of constructions are unauthorized.
This disclosure was made following recent inspections in the Ibeju Lekki and Epe areas.
During a press briefing, Dr. Olumide detailed the process and pitfalls of obtaining building approvals, emphasizing that many constructions were being illegally erected on land zoned for agricultural purposes.
“People purchase these lands from families unaware of zoning regulations, leading to unauthorized development,” he explained.
The commissioner highlighted the multi-layered approval process, which is often bypassed, leaving potential buyers, including those abroad, at risk of investing in illegal properties.
The situation in Lekki Peninsula has been complicated further by a distorted masterplan post-2010, as rapid development outpaced regulatory adherence.
Jide Odusolu, CEO of Octo5 Holdings, criticized the changes, noting that early plans approved under former governors were strictly enforced, but recent developments have skirted these rules, leading to haphazard growth and infrastructure deficits.
Odusolu accused the government of using planning and titling primarily as a revenue tool, which he believes discourages proper compliance and fosters chaotic urban development.
Similarly, Femi Oyedele, Managing Director of Fame at Oyster & Co. Nigeria, pointed out that many current estates lack coordinated layout plans necessary for a well-planned urban environment.
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To rectify these issues, experts suggest significant interventions akin to those implemented in Abuja by Nasir El’Rufai, proposing demolition of improperly planned developments to pave the way for a more structured and legally compliant urban expansion.
This approach aims to handle the burgeoning population and infrastructure needs of the Lekki Peninsula, which houses over 3 million residents, in a manner similar to more orderly urban areas.
