The Lagos State Government has disclosed that over 3,700 hectares of informal urban spaces have been identified across more than 1,700 locations within the state as part of ongoing efforts to improve physical planning and urban development.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, made the disclosure on Friday during the 2026 Ministerial Briefing marking the seventh year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
According to him, the findings were made under the Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority (LASISMA) as part of a broader strategy to enhance sustainable land use, environmental protection, and infrastructure preservation across the state.
He explained that the state government had approved a consultancy partnership with Octragon Multi Projects Nigeria Limited to support the implementation of the Setbacks, Common Areas and Roadsides Administration and Monitoring Project (SCRAMP).
The SCRAMP initiative is designed to identify, reorganise, and regulate informal and incidental open spaces, including road setbacks and roadside corridors, to improve urban order and unlock their economic and environmental potential.
Olumide said the mapping exercise revealed extensive informal spaces that require structured management and proper designation in line with Lagos State development plans.
He noted that the project has so far mapped over 3,700 hectares of informal spaces across 1,700 locations, which will be classified for appropriate development and use.
To ensure effective implementation, LASISMA has engaged multiple government agencies, including those responsible for transportation, commerce, energy, environment, and urban infrastructure, to support coordination and enforcement.
The commissioner added that the initiative also involves real-time data collection on operators within informal spaces, positioning the agency as a central database for urban management information in Lagos.
He said this would improve planning for emerging infrastructure needs, including electric vehicle charging stations and compressed natural gas facilities, while promoting more sustainable city development.
Olumide also highlighted ongoing engagements with artisans operating in informal spaces, particularly those at high-tension corridors, aimed at addressing safety concerns and improving orderliness in public areas.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to structured urban development, describing the SCRAMP programme as a key tool for achieving a more organised, efficient, and resilient Lagos.
The initiative forms part of the broader “Greater Lagos” development agenda, which focuses on sustainable infrastructure growth, environmental management, and improved land-use planning across the state.
