Lagos Reaffirms Commitment to Building a Sustainable Smart City

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to transforming Africa’s most populous city into a sustainable smart city, anchored on a 21st-century economy and comprehensive physical development planning.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, made this known during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at Alausa, Ikeja, where he provided an overview of the Ministry’s achievements over the past year.

According to Dr. Olumide, the Ministry has intensified efforts to actualize the objectives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda — a strategic policy framework that prioritizes Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance.

“In the last one year, we have consolidated progress across key physical development initiatives and advanced policies that support urban sustainability,” he said. He noted that the Ministry had strengthened stakeholder engagement, enhanced workforce training, and successfully hosted the 2024 Lagos Physical Planning Summit, which brought together industry experts, urban planners, and policy stakeholders to chart a course for future development.

Highlighting recent achievements, Dr. Olumide revealed that the Ministry had secured and delivered right-of-way access in multiple locations across the state, facilitating infrastructure development and improving urban mobility. He emphasized that these developments are central to Lagos’ vision of becoming a global economic and technological hub.

To encourage compliance with urban regulations, the Commissioner announced that the state government had extended an amnesty period for obtaining building planning permits, running from May to December 2024. He warned that any construction site found operating without the appropriate permits and approvals would be sealed off, with the structures potentially forfeited to the government.

Dr. Olumide appealed to residents and developers to “build right” by adhering to approved planning standards and obtaining the necessary authorizations. “A safe, orderly, and livable Lagos is only possible when everyone complies with regulatory frameworks,” he said.

The briefing was also attended by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, along with other top government officials. Dr. Olumide concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to collaboration with stakeholders in order to deliver a smarter, more sustainable Lagos