By Abbas Nazil
The Lagos State Government has initiated a strategic programme to document, plan, and manage informal spaces across the state, engaging relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure optimal utilisation and regulatory compliance.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting held in Alausa, facilitated by the project consultant Octragon Multi-Project Limited, led by CEO Gbolahan Awolesi.
Dr. Olumide explained that the initiative aims to systematically identify informal spaces, including setbacks, open areas, and communal zones, to designate them for productive use in accordance with urban planning standards.
He noted that over the years, many cleared spaces had remained idle or were encroached upon due to insufficient documentation and planning, highlighting the need for deliberate management of these areas.
“Common areas are deliberately set aside to enhance environmental quality. This programme is designed to change the narrative by ensuring that informal spaces are properly identified, planned, managed, and put to appropriate use,” Dr. Olumide stated.
The Commissioner revealed that Lagos State has approximately 3,000 hectares of informal spaces, emphasizing the importance of intentional planning to promote sustainable urban development.
Permanent Secretary of the Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, said the programme would enhance environmental aesthetics and demonstrate how setbacks and informal spaces can be productively utilised.
He stressed that informal spaces are often wrongly perceived as unclaimed land, despite being among the state’s most valuable resources that must be protected and efficiently managed.
Other stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mr. Babatunde Onigbanjo, and representatives from the Lagos State Sports Commission, underscored the need to balance development with residents’ livelihoods and youth engagement.
Officials from the Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) committed to collaborating on planning, environmental regulation, and establishing recycling and public sanitation facilities within these areas.
The consultant, Gbolahan Awolesi, confirmed that Octragon Multi-Project Limited has been tasked with comprehensively documenting informal spaces statewide and ensuring their utilisation aligns with international best practices.
The initiative marks a deliberate effort by Lagos State to transform informal areas into well-planned, regulated, and productive spaces that support environmental quality, urban planning, and community development.
Officials believe that the programme will prevent encroachment, promote sustainable use, and address challenges such as youth engagement, recreation, and public hygiene across Lagos.
Through this collaborative framework, the government aims to demonstrate that informal spaces are not wasted land but critical urban resources requiring strategic oversight and careful management.
