The Enugu State Government has declared a 90-day amnesty for owners of buildings constructed without official approval, giving them a final opportunity to regularise their documents as part of efforts to enforce orderly urban development.
The announcement was made in a statement issued in Enugu on Friday by the Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Chiwetalu Nwatu.
According to the agency, the amnesty window allows property owners without approved building plans to submit required documents and obtain proper approvals without facing penalties.
ENGIS said owners must submit as-built drawings of their structures for verification and approval. Those without existing drawings were advised to engage certified architects to prepare accurate plans reflecting the current state of their buildings.
The agency explained that the measure is part of the state government’s ongoing reforms aimed at sanitising the built environment and strengthening compliance with planning regulations.
Stricter Rules After Amnesty
ENGIS warned that after the amnesty period, no building approval will be granted without proof of registered land title.
Acceptable documents, the agency said, include a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or a registered Deed of Assignment.
It also stressed that construction must not begin without both a valid land title and an approved building plan issued by the appropriate authority, including the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ENGIS, or designated town planning offices.
The agency further advised individuals and companies holding land through Power of Attorney arrangements to regularise their titles to qualify for approvals and legal protection.
Government Calls Amnesty Corrective, Not Punitive
Nwatu described the amnesty as a corrective policy intended to help property owners comply with the law while supporting planned urban growth.
“This window is not punitive; it is an opportunity for property owners to come into compliance without penalties while helping the state build a more organised and secure urban environment,” he said.
He added that the policy aligns with broader land administration reforms aimed at ensuring that land ownership documentation and building approval go together.
“Going forward, we are institutionalising a culture where land title and building approval go hand in hand to protect genuine property owners and ensure sustainable development,” he said.
The amnesty took effect on February 27, 2026, and will run for 90 days.
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