New Policy: Lagos to Insure All Commercial Buildings Above Two Floors

Kehinde Adeleye
The Lagos State Government has announced a new policy requiring all commercial buildings with more than two floors to have compulsory insurance coverage. The move forms part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen urban safety, improve planning compliance, and enhance risk management across the state.
The policy was unveiled during the 2025 Real Estate Discussions and Awards in Lagos, organised by Thinkmint Nigeria, where experts and stakeholders in housing, land administration, and urban development explored new trends in the real estate sector.
Delivering a keynote address, Dr Olajide Babatunde, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Enterprise Geographic Information System (E-GIS) and Urban Development, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to digital transformation, transparency, and sustainability in land management.
According to him, the government has completed a comprehensive digital mapping of Lagos in partnership with international development agencies, paving the way for the full rollout of the E-GIS platform. The system will allow instant land searches, digital certification, online applications, and real-time verification of property ownership and planning approvals.
“Lagos will soon commence compulsory insurance for all multi-storey commercial buildings above two floors,” Babatunde said. “The state will also begin land and building regularisation through a 300-property pilot scheme in Epe.”
He further revealed that a new electronic planning permit system will enable compliant developers to secure approvals in as little as 10 minutes , a significant step towards reducing bureaucratic delays and curbing corruption.
Babatunde cautioned against fraudulent land practices, including double allocations, forged survey plans, and unapproved constructions. He disclosed that the state has begun a comprehensive physical planning audit, warning that non-compliant developers would face strict penalties.
He urged property owners, investors, and residents to verify all land titles and building permits before engaging in transactions, assuring that the government remains committed to maintaining order and legality in land use.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is fully committed to expanding access to land for sustainable development,” Babatunde added. “Through the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, we have intensified regeneration efforts in Katangua, relocated Okobaba sawmillers to Agboyi, and initiated several site-and-service projects to optimise land use.”
Babatunde also revealed that Lagos currently operates under multiple land title systems including Queen’s Titles, Federal Titles, and State Titles, but efforts are underway to consolidate them into a single transparent ownership framework to boost investor confidence.
Supporting the initiative, Olumide Sotire, Permanent Secretary in the Office of Physical and Urban Development, emphasised the importance of collaboration among regulatory agencies and professionals to manage Lagos’s rapid urbanisation.
He noted that population growth and internal migration continue to exert pressure on housing and infrastructure, calling for stricter adherence to physical planning laws to ensure sustainable urban growth.
Sotire highlighted major ongoing projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos-Badagry Expressway expansion, and the Lagos Rail and Water Transport Systems, describing them as catalysts for regional integration and new investment corridors.
He also urged developers to adopt green architecture and climate-resilient designs, noting that sustainability remains central to Lagos’s urban planning vision. The E-GIS platform, he added, will play a crucial role in improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability in land management across the state.