Ogun Gov slashes building permit penalties by 50%

The Ogun State Government has announced a 50% waiver on penal fees for property owners who developed buildings without securing the required planning permits and approvals.

Governor Dapo Abiodun approved the three-month amnesty programme, which will run from November 2025 to January 2026, as part of efforts to support residents and regularise undocumented developments across the state.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tunji Odunlami, disclosed this during a media briefing at the ministry’s conference room in Abeokuta on Friday. He explained that although Ogun State has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, many property owners commenced construction without following due process.

Odunlami noted that the law stipulates penalties for such infractions, but the government is mindful of the current economic realities and has opted to slash the penal fees by half to encourage compliance.

“On 1st November 2025, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun approved the commencement of an amnesty programme,” he said. “This window gives those who built without planning permits an opportunity to regularise their developments and enjoy a 50% reduction in applicable fees.”

He added that the waiver covers residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use properties, urging individuals, corporate bodies, real estate developers, commercial landlords, and industrial operators to take advantage of the offer.

Property owners are advised to visit the ministry’s headquarters at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, or any of the 32 zonal planning offices for seamless processing throughout the amnesty period.

The commissioner also revealed that Governor Abiodun has ordered the demolition of shanties and makeshift structures along major highways to tackle environmental degradation, improve aesthetics, and strengthen security.

He raised concerns about the growing encroachment on highways and road setback areas by illegal shops, signage, containers, markets, car dealerships, truck parks, and other unauthorized structures.

Major affected highways include:

Lagos–Ibadan

Abeokuta–Siun–Sagamu

Sagamu Interchange–Ajebandele (Sagamu–Ijebu Ode–Benin Expressway)

Abeokuta–Sango–Lagos Expressway

Odunlami said the activities pose safety risks, obstruct visibility, block drainage channels, and contribute to flooding and waste accumulation.

The government, he stressed, will no longer tolerate illegal use of setback areas except for approved infrastructure and traffic-related activities. Defaulters risk sanctions, withdrawal of permits, and abatement charges.