The Lagos State Office of Urban Development has outlined major strides in land use management, urban regeneration, and building control as part of activities marking the third year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual Ministerial Press Briefing, Special Adviser on E-GIS and Urban Development, Doctor Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, said the office had advanced data-driven planning, Geographic Information Systems deployment, and infrastructure coordination to support a resilient and globally competitive megacity.
A key highlight was the relocation of the Oko-Baba Sawmillers from the Ebute-Metta waterfront to the newly built Agbowa-Owu-Ikosi Timberville in Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA, Epe Division.
The modern facility includes 204 band saw sheds, 204 sales offices, canteens, toilet blocks, a meeting hall, industrial borehole, water treatment plant, and 10 functional 500KVA transformers.
Infrastructure works also cover a 1.7km access road with a deck-on-pile bridge, 160 two-bedroom bungalows and 100 flats at Odo-Onosa Housing Estate, and a 12.8-hectare boom area.
To improve operations and security, contracts awarded in Quarter One 2026 include a health facility block, perimeter wall fence and gatehouse, drainage network, police post, fire service station, and two additional public toilets. Dr. Babatunde said sawmill operations and ancillary activities are now running at full capacity.
The briefing also detailed the work of the Lagos State Building Control Agency under the Office of Urban Development. Between May 2023 and April 2026, LASBCA detected 27,233 infractions, issued 4,711 authorizations to commence construction, and carried out 8,099 stage inspections.
The agency issued 902 Certificates of Completion and Fitness for Habitation, verified 782 building insurance policies, and conducted 19,320 enforcement actions, including stop work orders and seal-up notices.
LASBCA has introduced several reforms to improve compliance and service delivery. These include a website for information dissemination, the Electronic Physical Planning Permit System for online applications, and the Certified Accreditors’ Programme, a public-private partnership that certified over 140 consultants to screen drawings and monitor illegal structures.
“The agency has also strengthened public enlightenment and whistleblowing channels via social media, SMS, and phone calls”, he said.
Doctor Babatunde said the initiatives align with the THEMES+ agenda and are aimed at preventing building collapse, improving compliance, and ensuring safer, orderly urban growth across the state’s five divisions.
