…….Town planners advocate stronger local government participation and stricter enforcement against illegal developments across Lagos.

The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Lagos State Chapter, has called for greater involvement of local councils in physical planning to promote sustainable urban development.

The institute made the call during its 2026 pre-Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

The chapter’s chairman, Oladele Akindele, said physical planning responsibilities at the national, state and local government levels should remain distinct but interconnected.

He urged the Lagos State Government to expand public-private partnerships (PPPs) in implementing master plans, model city plans and other lower-order development plans.

According to him, PPPs would reduce the government’s financial burden and support the timely execution of planning projects.

NITP Supports Urban Renewal Projects

Akindele acknowledged the progress made by the Office of Urban Development under the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

He said the award of regeneration and urban renewal projects to indigenous planning firms could improve urban development, residents’ socioeconomic conditions and the state’s environment.

The chairman also called for stricter action against illegal developments, particularly in areas undergoing regeneration.

“We implore the government to ensure that such developments are removed at the early stages of construction, and not when they have been completed and, in some cases, occupied,” he said.

Institute Endorses Certified Accreditors Programme

Akindele expressed support for the state’s recently introduced Certified Accreditors Programme (CAP).

He said the programme was designed to strengthen building regulation enforcement, increase inspection capacity and promote safer construction practices.

The initiative, he added, could also help reduce the economic losses and social disruption associated with building collapses and government demolitions.

The NITP’s position comes amid ongoing discussions about strengthening physical planning, urban renewal and construction monitoring in Lagos State. 

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The initiative is a public-private partnership involving architects, engineers, builders, planners, and surveyors to prevent building collapse incidents.

Speaking at the Ikeja launch event, Sanwo-Olu emphasized CAP as a transformative step towards urban safety and sustainability in Lagos.

“By incorporating private sector expertise, we are strengthening building safety while preventing loss of lives and property statewide.”

Background and Justification for CAP
The programme follows a tragic 2021 building collapse, which led to an investigation by a government-appointed panel of inquiry.

The panel recommended collaboration between state agencies and private professionals to strengthen construction site monitoring and compliance enforcement.

In response, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) developed CAP to ensure stricter enforcement of safety regulations.

Certified accreditors will conduct building inspections, assess designs, and monitor compliance to prevent structural failures across the state.

Officials Speak on CAP’s Importance
Gbolahan Oki, General Manager of LASBCA, praised Sanwo-Olu’s policies, stressing CAP’s role in improving safety compliance across Lagos.

“This initiative ensures construction projects meet building codes, reducing risks associated with substandard materials and poor workmanship.”

The Governor’s Special Adviser on Urban Development, Babatunde Abiodun, highlighted the government’s enforcement limitations due to insufficient manpower.

“We have expertise but lack sufficient workforce to monitor construction sites, making CAP a vital regulatory support system.”

Stronger Monitoring of New and Existing Buildings
Lagos State plans to launch the Certified Structural Integrity Programme to monitor older buildings for safety compliance every five years.

Permanent Secretary Nurudeen Shodeinde stated that non-destructive structural tests will identify weaknesses and prevent future building collapses.

Authorities warned that certified accreditors must maintain professional integrity to avoid compromising building standards and public safety.

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This was disclosed by Adu Ademuyiwa, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), through a statement shared on the agency’s X account on Saturday. The Expression of Interest (EOI) process for CAP is now open at LASBCA’s headquarters in GRA, Ikeja.

Dr. Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, explained that the program aims to address limited government capacity by incorporating certified private professionals into the state’s building inspection framework. The initiative is set to cover all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State.

“The CAP initiative ensures thorough evaluations and monitoring by certified professionals. Shortlisted accreditors will be selected based on their competence, experience, and understanding of local environments,” Dr. Babatunde stated.

Selected professionals will be deployed across the state’s five divisions, conducting detailed monitoring and stage inspections of building projects. Their names will be published in the media to enhance transparency and public awareness.

To ensure integrity and accountability, the program will include unscheduled site visits and a whistleblowing mechanism. Violators of program regulations will face legal consequences, according to Dr. Babatunde.

The initiative has been bolstered by the provision of 60 monitoring and inspection vehicles and the deployment of 67 additional police officers for enhanced security during operations, as noted by Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, General Manager of LASBCA.

Dr. Folayinka Dania, Lagos State Chief Resilience Officer, emphasized the importance of collaboration to build a resilient city. She urged participants to adhere to regulations to ensure effective service delivery.

Engr. Wasiu Olokuola, one of the applicants, praised the government for the innovative initiative, pledging his commitment to achieving CAP’s objectives.

The CAP initiative underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to promoting safer building practices and enhancing regulatory oversight through strategic partnerships.

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