Local Info

Lagos Launches Online Building Approval System, Enables Planning Permits from Anywhere in the World

The Lagos State Government has announced that developers and property owners can now apply for and obtain planning approvals online from anywhere in the world through its newly introduced Electronic Planning Permit Processing System (EPPPS).

The announcement was made in a notice published on the Lagos State Government's official X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighting the state's continued drive to digitise public services and improve ease of doing business.

According to the government, the Electronic Planning Permit Processing System (EPPPS) allows applicants to process planning permits remotely without the need for physical visits to government offices, making the approval process more accessible, transparent and efficient.

The platform, introduced by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officially commenced full automation of the planning permit process on April 1, 2026.

The Lagos State Government said the initiative is aimed at simplifying and modernising planning permit administration across the state by leveraging digital technology to improve service delivery.

Officials noted that the online platform is expected to reduce processing delays, enhance transparency, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and provide seamless access to planning approval services for both local and international applicants.

The government encouraged developers, property owners and other stakeholders to take advantage of the Electronic Planning Permit Processing System to process their planning approvals quickly and conveniently from any location worldwide.

The introduction of the EPPPS forms part of the Sanwo-Olu administration's broader efforts to deepen digital governance, improve urban planning administration and promote a more business-friendly environment in Lagos Stat

LASBCA BEGINS EVACUATION, DEMOLITION OF HIGHLY DISTRESSED BUILDING IN ABESAN ESTATE

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has commenced the evacuation of occupants and the removal of a highly distressed building located within Akinyele Busstop, Abesan Estate, Lagos, following reports that the structure had become unsafe for habitation.

The Agency disclosed that the emergency intervention was initiated after a concerned resident alerted LASBCA through its toll-free line, reporting visible signs of severe structural distress and expressing fears over the safety of occupants and neighbouring residents.

Upon receiving the report, officials of the Agency swiftly deployed a team of structural experts and enforcement officers to the location for an immediate assessment. The inspection confirmed that the building had suffered critical structural defects, posing an imminent danger to lives and property.

Following the assessment, LASBCA immediately evacuated all occupants from the building to prevent any loss of life and commenced the controlled demolition of the distressed structure in line with its statutory mandate to safeguard public safety.

Speaking on the exercise, the General Manager of LASBCA, Bldr. Gbaye Florence, said the Agency remained committed to ensuring that unsafe buildings do not constitute a threat to residents across the State.

She commended the concerned citizen who promptly reported the distressed building through the Agency's toll-free line, noting that the timely intervention helped prevent what could have resulted in a tragic incident.

Bldr. Gbaye urged residents to always report distressed, abandoned or visibly defective buildings to LASBCA, stressing that public cooperation remained vital in preventing building collapse and protecting lives and property.

She further assured Lagosians that the would continue to monitor buildings across the State, enforce compliance with building safety regulations and promptly respond to distress reports in the interest of public safety.

The Agency reiterated its appeal to members of the public to report suspected distressed buildings and other building safety concerns through the LASBCA toll-free line .

Adu Ademuyiwa A.
Director,Public Affairs
Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)

LAGOS POLICE ARREST 135 SUSPECTED CULTISTS, RECOVER 26 FI****MS IN 7/7 RAID SWEEP

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 135 suspected cultists and recovered 26 fi****ms during coordinated raids targeting cult groups ahead of the July 7 “7/7” celebration, a date notorious for violent clashes between rival confraternities.

The operations, led by Anti-Cultism Squads with support from tactical units and the Police Mobile Force, swept through known hotspots including Ikorodu, Idimu, Mushin, Bariga, Iyana Iba, and Igando between July 5 and July 7, 2026. Police said the raids were intelligence-driven and aimed at preempting reprisal attacks linked to cult anniversaries.

Spokesperson for the command confirmed that 26 fi****ms were recovered from the suspects, alongside illicit drugs and other dangerous weapons. In a separate but related raid at a dumpsite in Igando, operatives arrested 153 suspects, destroyed two shrines allegedly used for initiation rites, and seized more weapons.

July 7 is marked annually by some confraternities and often triggers bloody street fights and targeted killings. The Lagos Commissioner of Police had earlier warned cult groups against any gatherings and deployed special units across the state to maintain order.

The command said investigations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members and trace the source of the recovered weapons. All suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.

Police urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to help combat cultism and violent crime across Lagos.

The Lagos State Government has postponed all Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) papers scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, 2026, following the declaration of the Oro festival in parts of the Ikorodu Division.

The announcement was contained in a statement shared on the official X account of the Lagos State Government on Tuesday.

The affected examination papers have been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2026, while all other BECE papers will be conducted on their previously scheduled dates.

LASTMA UNVEILS 3367 TOLL-FREE SHORT-CODE HOTLINE TO STRENGTHEN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, ENHANCE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT, PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has officially unveiled its new 3367 Toll-Free Short-Code Hotline, a strategic initiative designed to fortify emergency response operations, optimise traffic management efficiency and deepen public participation in the administration of road transportation across Lagos State.

The newly introduced short-code represents a significant migration from the Agency's former long-service code platform to a more accessible, technologically advanced and citizen-oriented communication framework. Available toll-free on MTN, Etisalat (T2) and Glo networks, the platform enables millions of subscribers to report traffic-related emergencies and incidents without financial burden.

Through the 3367 hotline, road users can promptly notify LASTMA of vehicular breakdowns, road traffic collisions, disabled articulated vehicles, stranded tankers, traffic obstructions and other emergencies requiring urgent intervention. Importantly, the platform will also serve as a credible avenue through which members of the public may report the conduct, professionalism and operational activities of LASTMA personnel on duty, thereby reinforcing transparency, accountability and service excellence within the Agency.

In furtherance of inclusivity and effective communication, members of the public, particularly the motoring public, may communicate with hotline operators in English, Yoruba or Pidgin English when placing calls through the 3367 platform. This multilingual approach is intended to eliminate communication barriers, encourage wider public participation and ensure that emergency information is conveyed promptly and accurately irrespective of linguistic background.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki described the initiative as a landmark advancement in the Agency's unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives, facilitating seamless vehicular mobility and delivering a more responsive, technology-driven and citizen-centred traffic management system.

According to him, the deployment of the hotline underscores LASTMA's resolve to harness innovative digital solutions in addressing contemporary transportation challenges while fostering stronger collaboration between the Agency and the motoring public.

"The inauguration of the 3367 Toll-Free Short-Code Hotline represents another monumental stride towards institutionalising a safer, more efficient and highly responsive transportation ecosystem across Lagos State. It provides residents with a direct, convenient and cost-free channel through which incidents requiring immediate intervention can be promptly reported," Bakare-Oki stated.

He further noted that the complexity and rapid expansion of Lagos as one of Africa's foremost megacities necessitate a proactive and technologically enabled traffic management architecture capable of responding expeditiously to evolving road transportation challenges.

The General Manager assured residents that all reports received through the platform would be treated with utmost professionalism, confidentiality and diligence, while being transmitted to the appropriate operational units for immediate action. He urged the public to embrace the hotline as a vital instrument for enhancing road safety, strengthening accountability and supporting the collective aspiration for a safer, more efficient and sustainable transportation environment across Lagos State.

LAGOS SUES FOR CALM FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS OF PERSISTENT RAINFALL, FLASH FLOOD

… As Sanwo-Olu Approves Immediate Dredging, Maintenance Of 28 Additional Primary Channels

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday called for calm and understanding from residents following the massive flash flooding experienced in many parts of the State over the last two weeks, just as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary channels across the state.

Speaking against the backdrop of the heavy downpours which caused flash floods in many communities, the Honourable Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said the rainfalls were an extreme weather event that produced an unusually high volume of water within a short period, overwhelming drainage channels in some locations and resulting in temporary flooding across parts of Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku and several other areas.

According to the Commissioner, the incident was not peculiar to Lagos, as a similar heavy rainfalls also affected other African Countries on the same day, even in North America resulting in flooding across some cities, noting that while Lagos and these cities have coastal and hydraulic characteristics, Lagos presents a much more complex hydrological system due to its extensive network of lagoons, tidal water bodies, rivers and creeks, as well as significantly higher rainfall intensity.

He explained that the interaction between the Atlantic Ocean, Lagos Lagoon and numerous rivers and creeks, particularly during periods of high tide, naturally slows the discharge of stormwater into the sea, resulting in temporary inundation in some low-lying areas whenever exceptionally heavy rainfall occurs.

Wahab assured residents that the Lagos State Government remains fully on top of the situation through continuous monitoring of drainage infrastructure, flood-prone locations and other critical water channels, adding that emergency response agencies have remained on the ground to ensure that floodwaters recede as quickly as weather conditions permit while providing support where necessary.

The Commissioner stressed that while the State Government continues to invest significantly in drainage construction, channelisation, desilting and other flood control infrastructure, residents also have an important role to play in reducing the impact of flooding.

He urged residents to desist from indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drains, canals and waterways, illegal reclamation of wetlands, construction on drainage alignments and other activities that obstruct the free flow of stormwater, noting that such actions worsen flooding during periods of intense rainfall.

Wahab stated that the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident across the world, with coastal cities experiencing more frequent and intense rainfall events.

"Lagos is not exempted from these realities; However, the State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to building a flood-resilient city through sustained infrastructure development, environmental enforcement and active collaboration with residents," he said.

He reiterated that protecting Lagos from the impacts of flooding is a shared responsibility and called on all residents to support government efforts by keeping drainage channels free of waste and reporting any activity capable of obstructing the free flow of stormwater.

He also advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads during heavy downpours and appealed to residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas, to heed weather advisories and comply with safety instructions issued by relevant government agencies, which the Ministry issues daily.

He thereafter reaffirmed the Lagos State Government's commitment to safeguarding lives and property through proactive flood management measures, while urging residents to continue to cooperate with the government in building a cleaner, safer and more resilient Lagos.

NRC GIVES LAMATA PERMANENT LICENCE TO RUN LAGOS RED LINE, SETS STAGE FOR MAJOR EXPANSION

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has granted LAMATA a permanent operating licence and long-term access to its tracks, clearing the way for a big expansion of the Lagos Red Line.

The deal gives LAMATA legal backing to run passenger and freight trains between Agbado and Oyingbo. It also means the agency can use NRC’s rail tracks for as long as it operates the corridor.

LAMATA plans to increase Red Line trips from 9 to 24 daily by late 2026 once new trains arrive. Each train will carry at least 2,000 passengers one way, cutting wait times for commuters.

The 15-year licence doesn’t stop at the Red Line. It also covers the Blue Line and any future rail lines LAMATA builds during that period. New lines won’t need fresh approval from scratch just a final safety check before opening.

Speaking at the signing in Lagos, NRC Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa said the licence was the result of over 20 years of work between both agencies. He called LAMATA the first state body to make use of idle federal rail tracks to improve transport, and urged other states to follow Lagos’ lead.

LAMATA Managing Director Engr. Abimbola Akinajo said the licence came after “years of rigorous checks” by NRC, not automatic approval. She confirmed the agency is targeting 24 daily Red Line services by Q4 2026 after new rolling stock arrives.

LAMATA already runs 94 trips daily on the Blue Line. Akinajo said the new approval will help the agency boost capacity and run more frequent, reliable trains for Lagos residents.

NRC and LAMATA say the permanent licence is a major step toward building a larger, high-capacity rail network in Lagos.

Police intercept 47 sacks of Military uniforms, 80 cartons of suspected illicit drugs in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has intercepted 47 sacks containing military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of suspected illicit substances during an intelligence-led operation in the Surulere area of the state.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh (represented by senior officers of the command), disclosed the development while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday.

𝗟𝗮𝗴𝗼𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀

The Lagos State Government has enlisted the support of transport unions in a renewed crackdown on indiscriminate refuse dumping, empowering members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to help identify and apprehend offenders across the state.

The initiative was unveiled on Saturday during a joint press briefing held at the Ministry of Transportation Conference Room in Alausa, where the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin, outlined a coordinated strategy aimed at restoring environmental sanity and keeping Lagos roads free from waste.

Speaking at the briefing, Osiyemi said the state government was taking decisive action against the persistent practice of dumping refuse on road medians, highways and other public spaces, describing the trend as a major threat to public health, environmental sustainability and the image of the state.

He noted that transport union members, who operate across parks, garages and major road corridors in Lagos, are strategically positioned to serve as frontline monitors in the campaign against illegal waste disposal.

According to him, selected members of the unions will be integrated into the state's environmental enforcement framework and empowered to assist relevant authorities in identifying and apprehending individuals caught disposing of refuse illegally.

"We have observed the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roadsides and expressways across the state. That is why we invited transport union workers, because they have branches and members spread across Lagos. We want them to become our eyes on the roads and help us monitor and arrest those who dump refuse indiscriminately," Osiyemi said.

The commissioner warned that the government would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found violating environmental laws, stressing that Lagos residents must embrace responsible waste disposal practices.

Also addressing the gathering, LAWMA Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the state could no longer tolerate the increasing rate of waste dumping on highways, roadsides and public spaces.

He urged transport workers to actively support the campaign by discouraging offenders and preventing illegal dumping activities around parks and garages.

"We must read a riot act to ourselves. From today, there must be no waste dumped on any road in Lagos. We know that with the support of transport unions, we can achieve this. Anyone carrying refuse to dump near your garages should be turned back and directed to dispose of it properly," Gbadegesin stated.

He assured residents that LAWMA would continue to intensify waste evacuation operations and strengthen enforcement activities to ensure cleaner communities across the state.

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Sola Giwa, disclosed that government officials would embark on regular inspections of parks and garages, warning that facilities found littering their surroundings would face sanctions.

In the same vein, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube, called on transport workers to become whistleblowers in the government's drive to eliminate environmental violations, noting that community participation remains critical to achieving a cleaner Lagos.

The latest move comes days after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed the immediate evacuation of refuse heaps across the state following growing complaints from residents over delays in waste collection and the accumulation of garbage on roads, medians and within communities.

The state government has consistently maintained that proper waste management is essential to preventing flooding, protecting public health and sustaining environmental cleanliness in Africa's largest city.

With transport unions now drafted into the campaign, authorities believe Lagos is taking another significant step toward strengthening environmental enforcement and ending the culture of indiscriminate refuse dumping across the state.