The Lagos State Government has announced a major policy shift in its housing and urban planning regulation by reducing the minimum land size requirement for estate development from 10,000 square metres to 5,000 square metres. The move is expected to stimulate real estate growth, improve housing delivery, and accommodate the state’s rapidly expanding population.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, during the maiden Quarterly Media Parley held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja.
According to Olumide, the decision aligns with current realities in Lagos State, where increasing population growth and rising urbanisation continue to put pressure on housing supply and estate development. By lowering the threshold, more developers and investors can participate in estate projects, creating more housing opportunities across the state.
He explained that the new policy would also provide relief to some of the 176 non-complying estates earlier published by the ministry in August. Some of the promoters of these estates had already approached the ministry to regularise their status, while enforcement would soon begin on those who failed to comply.
“Enforcement will commence soon on those in the list of 176 non-complying estates that have not come forward for regularisation,” the Commissioner said. He also noted that the regulatory exercise would soon extend beyond the Lagos metropolis to areas such as Ikorodu and Ikeja, where estate development has grown significantly in recent years.
Olumide added that the ministry was also working on setting requirements for communities that had been unilaterally converted into estates without due approvals. He stressed that such practices would no longer be tolerated, as proper planning was key to sustainable development in Lagos.
The Commissioner further highlighted the importance of the Operative Development Plans of Lagos State, describing them as critical tools that guide infrastructural projects such as the Blue and Red Rail Lines, flyovers, highways, and other urban renewal initiatives. He revealed that the state government had completed the Alimosho Model City Plan, Kosofe Model City Plan, Lagos Island Model City Plan, and the Badagry Master Plan, all of which were produced with input from stakeholders.
“I urge all agencies of government and stakeholders to abide by the dictates of these plans, which were developed to ensure coordinated and sustainable growth across Lagos,” he said.
Speaking on capacity development, Olumide disclosed that the ministry was building expertise to prescribe requirements for specialised projects such as seaports, airports, and special highways. He also praised the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Agency for surpassing expectations in granting planning permits.
He assured residents and investors that the permit process had been simplified. “Applicants can now obtain their approvals within 10 days of making payments. The process has been made easier through the creation of more district offices, staff motivation, and awareness creation. The government will soon automate the entire permit process to further reduce delays,” he explained.
Olumide also disclosed that the state government was working on transforming informal and neglected spaces into structured developments. He revealed that over 3,000 hectares of land across Lagos had been identified for redesign and productive use, particularly spaces along power-line corridors, gas-line corridors, and drainage setbacks.
According to him, many of these areas had been used informally without proper planning, but the government now intends to reclaim and redesign them into structured facilities such as parking zones. This, he said, would help to reduce traffic congestion in high-density areas and improve urban living conditions.
The Commissioner stressed that the reforms were part of the Lagos State Government’s broader vision to balance urban development with housing needs while ensuring compliance with planning regulations. He emphasised that the success of these initiatives would depend on strong collaboration between government, developers, and residents.
The reduction in the minimum land size for estate development is expected to encourage more small and medium-scale developers to invest in the housing sector, thereby boosting housing stock and supporting the state’s economic growth.
With Lagos being Nigeria’s most populous state and economic hub, the new policy may also influence other states to review their own land-use regulations in order to encourage more estate development and reduce the housing deficit.
