By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Lagos State Government has declared 176 estates illegal for failing to obtain mandatory layout approvals from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
Most of the Illegal estates in Lagos are located in Eti-Osa, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe, with prominent names such as Adron Homes in Elerangbe, Aina Gold Estate in Okun-Folu, Diamond Estate in Eputu, Prime Water View Garden in Ikate-Elegushi, and Royal View Estate in Ikota making the list.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Oluwole Sotire, warned that operating estates without layout approvals undermines sustainable urban planning and violates the Lagos State Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda.
To address this, the state has issued a 21-day deadline for developers to submit proper documentation for processing at the ministry’s office in the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
“This is part of the ministry’s core responsibility to regulate both public and private estate developments across Lagos,” Sotire stated. “The goal is to promote an organised, functional, and resilient city aligned with global urban standards.”
He further stressed that all estate developers must register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), the agency responsible for coordinating and monitoring real estate operations within the state.
Sotire warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe will lead to enforcement actions, including site closures, legal prosecution, and possible revocation of building permits.
The crackdown follows a state-wide audit of estate developments aimed at identifying and addressing Illegal estates in Lagos, many of which pose risks such as flooding, inadequate drainage, and lack of infrastructure due to non-compliance with planning regulations.