Urban planning experts have warned that increasing violations of planning permit regulations are undermining orderly physical development across Nigeria, contributing to building collapses, flooding, environmental degradation, and significant economic losses. They say the growing trend of commencing construction without obtaining statutory approvals is weakening the country’s urban planning framework and exposing communities to avoidable risks.

According to industry stakeholders, many developers and property owners continue to adopt a “build first, regularise later” approach, largely due to lengthy approval processes, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and the high cost of obtaining planning permits. Experts argue that while these challenges exist, bypassing planning regulations compromises public safety and sustainable urban growth.

Professionals in the built environment noted that planning approvals are essential because they ensure developments comply with approved land use, structural standards, environmental requirements, and safety regulations before construction begins. They stressed that proper supervision by planning authorities throughout the construction process significantly reduces the risk of structural failures and other hazards.

Recent enforcement actions by several state governments, particularly in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory, have targeted illegal developments through building seals, demolitions, permit regularisation programmes, and digital approval systems. Authorities believe these measures will improve compliance while promoting safer and more organised urban development.

Experts have also recommended the adoption of fully digital planning permit systems, transparent approval charges, public awareness campaigns, and stronger enforcement to encourage voluntary compliance. They believe technology-driven approval processes can reduce delays, minimise corruption, and make regulatory compliance more accessible for developers and homeowners.

Stakeholders maintain that strengthening planning permit compliance is critical to protecting lives and property, improving infrastructure delivery, and supporting sustainable housing and real estate development across Nigeria’s rapidly growing cities.

The post Planning Permit Violations Fuel Unsafe Urban Development, Experts Warn appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Estate surveying and valuation firm Messrs Ubosi Eleh and Company has called for urgent structural reforms in Nigeria’s real estate sector, warning that poor land documentation, weak regulation and limited access to property data continue to slow market development.

The call was made during a press briefing in Lagos ahead of the firm’s 35th anniversary scheduled for June, where co-founders Chudi Ubosi and Emeka Eleh reflected on decades of industry experience and highlighted persistent challenges in the property market.

Poor Land Documentation Limits Economic Value of Property

According to the firm, one of the biggest challenges in Nigeria’s property sector is the inability of property owners to convert landed assets into financial capital due to lack of proper documentation and land titles.

Principal Partner, Emeka Eleh, said land remains one of Nigeria’s most under-utilised assets because many owners cannot use their properties as collateral for credit facilities.

He stressed that proper titling would unlock access to financing for businesses while also improving government revenue through property taxation.

Call for Simplified Land Registration System

Eleh urged government authorities to simplify land registration and reduce bureaucratic delays in obtaining property titles and approvals.

He noted that Nigeria’s lengthy approval processes, including governor’s consent procedures, create unnecessary barriers to property transactions and mortgage financing.

According to him, processes that take weeks in developed economies often take several months in Nigeria, negatively affecting business efficiency and economic growth.

Weak Regulation in Property Agency Market

The firm also raised concerns over weak regulation in Nigeria’s estate agency and brokerage sector.

While valuation practice remains professionally regulated, Eleh noted that property agency services are often open to unqualified individuals, leading to quackery and unethical practices.

He called for stronger enforcement of professional standards to improve credibility and protect consumers in the real estate market.

Lack of Reliable Property Data Hampers Investment Decisions

Another key challenge identified by the firm is the absence of a centralised and reliable national property data system.

Eleh explained that investors and valuers often rely on informal inquiries due to the lack of structured databases on property prices and transactions.

He noted that such data gaps make valuation and investment decisions more difficult compared to developed markets where real estate information is publicly accessible.

To address this gap, the firm said it has been publishing an annual Nigeria Real Estate Report to provide market insights and rental trends across the country.

From Small Practice to National Real Estate Firm

Reflecting on the company’s journey since its establishment in 1991, the founders said Ubosi Eleh & Co began with just two estate surveyors and a secretary in Ikeja, Lagos.

They credited their growth to professionalism, consistency, relationship-building and early adoption of real estate marketing through media platforms.

Today, the firm operates in multiple Nigerian cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Onitsha and Awka, with over 200 employees and a growing professional network.

Building Sustainable Real Estate Institutions

The founders emphasised the importance of institutional growth, staff development and mentorship in sustaining long-term business success.

They warned that many firms in the industry fail due to poor investment in training, culture and client retention.

According to them, strong relationships and trust remain central to success in the estate surveying profession.

Ubosi Eleh & Co said its long-term vision is to strengthen professional standards, improve market data systems and prepare the next generation of real estate professionals in Nigeria.

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it will launch a major enforcement exercise on November 26, 2025, targeting property owners who have failed to settle statutory fees, including ground rent, land use change charges, conversion fees, and Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) as well as Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.

The announcement was made in a statement on Thursday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Why the Crackdown Is Coming

According to Olayinka, defaulters include residents who have not paid required dues or those who purchased properties but have not regularised their ownership by obtaining the Minister’s consent and registering their deeds of assignment.

He noted that after President Bola Tinubu intervened in May 2025, Minister Wike granted a 14-day grace period for payment of outstanding ground rent and penalties. Additional notices were issued on September 8–10, 2025, outlining revised land-use clauses within the FCT.

Multiple Warnings Already Issued

Olayinka explained that several public notices were published in national newspapers, online platforms, radio, and television, giving a 30-day deadline for payment of violation fees—including a ₦5 million penalty for land-use change or conversion infractions.

A final warning was later issued to property owners in Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse, giving them 14 days to comply with approved land-use terms.

Full Enforcement Starts November 26

“Beginning Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the FCTA will commence strict enforcement against all defaulters of ground rent, land-use change or conversion fees, as well as R-of-O and C-of-O bills,” Olayinka said.

He emphasized that the operation would cover:

• Owners who have not paid statutory charges

• Individuals who bought properties without registering ownership

• Those who failed to obtain the mandatory Minister’s consent

• Property owners who violated approved land-use classifications

The FCTA maintains that the enforcement is necessary to enhance urban management, boost revenue, and ensure compliance with Abuja’s land administration regulations.

The post FCTA to Begin Enforcement Against Property Fee Defaulters November 26 appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Lagos is entering a new phase of real estate regulation with the introduction of compulsory insurance for commercial buildings above two floors and the expansion of its digital land administration system (E-GIS). The reforms aim to reduce building risks, eliminate land fraud, speed up development permits, and attract long-term investment into Africa’s fastest-growing urban market.

Why the New Building Insurance Policy Matters

Under the new rule, commercial property owners must secure insurance coverage before buildings are approved for occupation.
This move is designed to:

• Reduce structural failure risks

• Protect occupants and investors

• Prevent avoidable building collapse losses

• Promote international-standard compliance

Experts say this policy strengthens safety enforcement across Lagos’ built environment.

Digital Land Reform to Transform Property Transactions

Lagos has finalised a digital mapping exercise to power the new E-GIS platform. The system will enable:

• Instant land title verification

• Real-time ownership checks

• Digital certificate issuance

• Faster building permit approval (10 minutes for compliant files)

• Online applications and land searches

A pilot phase will begin in Epe, marking Lagos’ shift toward automated approvals and transparent land governance.

Crackdown on Illegal Structures and Forged Titles

Authorities confirm a physical planning audit will soon begin to detect:

• Illegal developments

• Fake land documents

• Unauthorized land occupations

Violators will face penalties as the state tightens planning control to prevent unsafe development patterns.

Urban Renewal Projects Continue Across Lagos

The state is also advancing other major urban development initiatives including:

• Katangua market regeneration

• Relocation of Okobaba sawmillers to Agboyi

• New serviced plots and site-and-service schemes

Lagos plans to harmonize multiple land title categories into a unified land registry to simplify property transactions and improve investor trust.

Analyst Insight: Stronger Market, Lower Risk

Real estate experts say the move to mandatory insurance and digital land management will:

• Increase investor confidence

• Attract institutional capital

• Reduce fraud and land disputes

• Support safe urban expansion

• Position Lagos as a model for digital real-estate governance in Africa

The reforms align with global smart-city and real-estate compliance standards.

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