The initiative was unveiled by the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Olatunji Odunlami, during a press conference held on Friday, at the Ministry in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Speaking at the briefing, the Commissioner stated the unprecedented growth Ogun State has experienced in the last six years, crediting the progress to the focused leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
According to him, the State has become the fastest-growing subnational economy in Nigeria and the country’s preferred industrial hub due to improved socio-economic infrastructure and a secure business-friendly environment.
Odunlami explained that while many property owners had developed structures without securing mandatory permits, the government is mindful of the prevailing economic challenges facing citizens.
He said the Governor approved the commencement of the amnesty programme on November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026 allowing owners of residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use developments to regularize their properties at half the penal fee cost.
“On the 1st November 2025, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun Governor Ogun State approved the commencement of an amnesty programme which provides a window of opportunity for those who have built without obtaining planning permit as required by the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law and its Regulations, to regularise the illegality by obtaining their permit and enjoy 50% reduction in the applicable penal fees for such developments.
“These include residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and mixed-use developments, and all other categories of physical developments covered by the Law and Regulations. The amnesty programme will run for a period of three months, ending January 31, 2026.”
He noted that the initiative aimed to ease financial burdens, encourage adherence to planning laws, strengthen the state’s planning database, support property documentation for future transactions, and promote safer and orderly development across Ogun State.
He urged individuals, corporate organizations, developers, and landlords to take full advantage of the concession, emphasizing that all 32 zonal planning offices have been directed to ensure seamless and transparent service delivery during the amnesty period.
The Commissioner also addressed the critical issue of illegal use of road and highway setbacks across the state.
He expressed government’s concern over indiscriminate occupation of setbacks by shanties, containers, shops, signage, car lots, heavy equipment stands, truck parks, and makeshift markets.
Such activities, he said, pose safety risks, obstruct visibility, block drainage channels, distort urban orderliness, and contribute to flooding and environmental degradation.
His words “ The Government had
observed with great concern the continuous encroachment into the setbacks of
highways and roads by shanties and makeshift structures, signages, container, shops,
markets, car and heavy equipment dealerships and sales points, truck park and other
such unwelcomed and unapproved developments.
“These activities constitute serious safety hazards, obstruct visibility, distort urban orderliness, obstruct drainage flow
channels, degrade the environment, and contribute to flooding and waste accumulation.
“Encroachment into these public spaces is not only illegal but also undermines the
beauty and functionality of our transportation corridors. The government will no longer
tolerate the use of setbacks except for activities that have to do with the laying of infrastructure, transportation and traffic control and the maintenance and management
of those spaces.
The Commissioner directed Property owners along major highways to immediately clear unauthorized constructions within their setback spaces.
The affected corridors include the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Abeokuta–Sagamu Interchange Highway (Muhammadu Buhari Expressway), Sagamu–Benin Expressway, Lagos–Abeokuta Highway, Papalanto–Sagamu Interchange, Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda (Epe) Highway, Ogijo–Sagamu Highway, and other major roads across the state.
The government authorized property owners to temporarily adopt cleared setback areas for beautification and landscaping at no cost, provided they apply for approval with a greenery plan.
This, the Commissioner maintained, supports the administration’s drive for a greener, cleaner, and climate-resilient Ogun State.
Odunlami warned that failure to comply with the directives may attract sanctions including withdrawal of planning permits and imposition of abatement charges.
He added that enforcement would commence immediately and without further notice.
The Commissioner stress that maintaining clean, safe, and visually appealing public spaces is a shared responsibility.
