What is the Cost of Building Approval in Ogun State?

Introduction

If you are building or plan to build in Ogun State—whether a small house, a duplex, commercial building, or estate infrastructure—one of the critical steps is obtaining building approval (also called permit or planning/development permit). This is not just a bureaucratic step; it’s a legal requirement that protects your property rights, safety, value, and ensures your construction conforms with state laws, zoning, safety, environmental, and planning regulations.

But many people ask: How much will building approval cost in Ogun State? The answer is not fixed: cost depends on many factors. Also, policy changes (penal fees reductions / waivers) periodically modify what people pay. This article gives a very thorough overview of what costs are involved, what recent policies affect those costs, typical ranges, what to expect, what influences your cost, examples, and how you can plan your budget. By the end, you will be able to estimate reasonably what you might pay, avoid surprises, and ensure compliance.

Overview: What “Building Approval” Means in Ogun State

Before discussing the cost, it helps to clarify what building approval covers and what components are likely involved. “Building approval” might include:

• Application / permit fees

• Survey plan fees

• Architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical drawings / working plans

• Inspection fees (stage‑by‑stage, final/fitness for occupancy)

• Penal or retrospective fees (if the building was built without prior approval)

• Levies / assessment fees

• Documentation costs (printing, stamping, submission)

• Insurance requirements (e.g. All Risk Insurance for buildings above two floors) which may be required as part of compliance. The Guardian Nigeria

Knowing those components helps in breaking down cost.

Recent Policy Changes / Fee Reductions in Ogun State

To give context, here are key recent policy developments that directly influence cost:

1. Penal Fee Reductions
   Ogun State Government has slashed penal fees for buildings that were constructed without the necessary approvals. For residential developments, penal fees were reduced by 80%; for commercial developments, by 60%. theaffairs.ng+2The Details News+2

2. Waivers and Grace Periods
   There have been periods when the State totally waived penal/retrospective fees between certain months (e.g. October‑December 2022) to encourage regularization. theaffairs.ng+2therovingpen.com.ng+2
   Also, there was a 30‑day grace period during which fines or penalties for unapproved buildings were suspended or relaxed. rockcityfmradio.com

3. Insurance Certificate Requirement
   For buildings above two storeys/floors, Ogun State requires an All Risk Insurance Policy Certificate, which adds to the cost of compliance. The Guardian Nigeria

4. Efforts to Ease Certain Fees / Process
   The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has, in some instances, stated that no additional cost would be incurred for certain authorization certificates etc., for those who already have the necessary planning permit from OGPDPA. The Details News

These policy changes are critical in reducing or changing what building approval costs in practice.

Key Components That Determine the Cost

To understand what your cost will be, you need to know what drives the charges. Some major determinants:

1. Type of Building / Usage

   • Residential vs Commercial vs Industrial

   • Size (floor area, number of rooms, storeys)

   • Complexity (foundation type, design features, special amenities)

2. Location

   • Urban vs rural vs prime area

   • Proximity to highways / expressways

   • If it is an estate / planned layout vs non‑layout area

3. Survey Requirements
   A proper survey plan (by a licensed surveyor) is mandatory. How big the plot is, whether it’s in a prime area, whether commercial usage etc., will influence how much. Survey fees alone can be substantial. ome.construction

4. Professional Consultancy Fees
   Fees for architect, structural engineer, electrical/plumbing/other consultants; cost to prepare drawings, calculations, stamping, and (if required) site visits by professionals.

5. Permitting / Application / Inspection / Compliance Fees
   These are the official fees charged by OGPDPA or the relevant planning authority. Includes the application fee, plan assessment, site inspections, stage certifications, etc.

6. Penal or Retrospective Fees (if applicable)
   If construction started without permit or there was deviation from approved plan, you’d likely pay penal fees. Because Ogun State has introduced reductions, this can be much lower now, but still relevant.

7. Materials & Documentation Costs
   Printing plan sets; submission fees; copies; any specialized reports (soil test/geotechnical, environmental, flood risk, structural safety); maybe insurance.

8. Insurance Costs
   For buildings above two floors, the All Risk Insurance requirement adds cost. The Guardian Nigeria

Estimates & Typical Ranges

Because official fee schedules are often not clearly published (or depend heavily on specifics), we rely on case examples and observed/quoted practices. Here are what people report, along with estimates. Use these to frame your own budget.

Example Scenarios

To help you picture what your own cost might look like, here are hypothetical examples:

• Small Single‑Storey Residential House (bungalow) in General Area
  Components: small land survey (~₦300,000), simple architectural & structural plans (~₦150,000), permit / plan assessment (~₦100,000), documentation & printing (~₦20,000), small insurance or none if single storey (if >2 floors needed insurance).
  Estimated total cost: ~ ₦550,000 to ₦700,000 (this is just an estimate; could be lower or higher depending on exact size, finishes, etc.)

• Two‑Storey Residential in Prime / Urban Area
  Components: survey (~₦400,000+), more complex design & structural (~₦300,000+), permit fees higher, insurance required, more inspections, potentially soil test / geotechnical (~₦50,000‑₦150,000 extra) etc.
  Estimated total cost: ~ ₦1,000,000 to ₦1,500,000‑plus

• Commercial Building / Industrial Structure
  Many additional costs: commercial permit fees, more detailed engineering, perhaps environmental impact assessment, heavier structural work, possibly higher penal fees if retrospective, insurance, more inspections, etc. Could easily run into several millions Naira, depending on size/use.

These estimates are illustrative; actual may vary.

What We DON’T Have / What Is Unclear

To avoid misunderstanding, here are things that remain unclear or variable:

• There is no universally published fixed schedule for all building permit fees in Ogun State that covers all building types, locations, sizes.

• Many quoted costs are anecdotal (from developers, local folks) rather than from an official published government document.

• Penal or retrospective fee schedule depends on how much you deviate, whether policy reduction / amnesty is active, etc.

• Some costs (survey, professional drawings, environmental / soil test) are paid to third parties and vary a lot.

• Insurance cost depends on provider, building value, type of insurance, risk level etc.

Thus, while you can estimate, you must obtain quotes and check with the relevant planning permit authority for your specific case.

Steps to Estimate What You Will Pay

Here’s a practical guide to estimating the building approval cost for your project:

1. Define your project precisely

   • Size (land plot area, building footprint)

   • Number of floors / storeys

   • Intended use (residential / commercial)

   • Location (urban / rural, prime / general area)

   • Any special features (high ceiling, basement, elaborate design, swimming pool, etc.)

2. Get surveyor’s quote
   Contact a SURCON‑registered surveyor to provide the cost of producing the survey plan + registration / documentation.

3. Get design / drawing cost
   Architect, structural engineer, mechanical / plumbing consultant etc. Ask for quotes for plan drawing + structural calculation + any special reports.

4. Check with OGPDPA / relevant planning authority
   Ask them for their application / permit fees for buildings of your type & location. Also ask what the penal / retrospective fees are if your building is already built or deviated.

5. Add inspection / certification / insurance / environmental costs
   Include expected cost of inspections (mid‑construction / stage / final), insurance if required, any environmental / soil test etc.

6. Build a buffer
   Because of unforeseen costs (additional requirements, corrections, delays), add ~10‑20% buffer to your estimate.

Sample Cost Breakdown Table

Here’s a sample cost breakdown for a two‑storey residential house (middle income, in a prime area), for illustrative purposes:

This is just one scenario; your costs might be less or more depending on specifics.

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How to Reduce or Control the Cost

You may be able to control or reduce your costs, or avoid paying more than necessary. Here are strategies:

• Plan carefully & avoid deviations
  If your building follows regulations from the start (setbacks, number of floors, design, etc.), you avoid penalties, redesign costs, additional inspections.

• Take advantage of penalty reductions / amnesty periods
  If Ogun State is offering slashed penal fees or grace periods, act fast. These policies may not last forever. theaffairs.ng+1

• Get quotes from multiple professionals
  See what different architects / surveyors / engineers charge and choose those with good track record but reasonable fees.

• Use standard materials / simpler design
  Less complexity = less drawing/engineering time = lower cost.

• Ensure all documentation is prepared properly
  Missing or incorrect documents slow approval and may result in additional charges.

• Build in compliance with minimum required standards
  Avoid over‑building or adding features that will attract higher fees or stricter requirements unless needed.

Risks / Consequences of Underestimating Cost

Failing to budget properly for building approval can lead to:

• Delays in construction as plans are sent back for corrections

• Additional costs for redesign / additional required documentation

• Higher penal fees if regulatory compliance is discovered late

• Possible demolition or sealing if construction proceeded without permit

• Loss of time, legal costs, or worse complications

Recent Observations / Anecdotal Reports

Here are what some people in Ogun State have reported as what they paid or were asked to pay in various areas (Mowe‑Ibafo, Ota, etc.):

• In Mowe‑Ibafo, for various components: application form, physical development levy, layout fee etc., plus architectural & structural drawings, people quoted something like ₦5,000 for forms/levies, ₦50,000 each for the drawings, ₦30,000 for electrical service drawings, ₦20,000 for bill of quantities, etc. Nairaland

• A more general comment: “for a residential building will also cost between 100k and 500k depending on the type of building and the type of foundation required.” Nairaland

These are helpful to get a sense, though these quotes may be somewhat dated or vary depending on location, inflation, etc.

Things to Confirm / Ask When Doing Your Budget

When you talk to the planning or permit authorities / professionals, make sure to ask:

• What is the current permit / plan assessment fee for my type of building (residential/commercial) in my location?

• If I built some parts already, what is the penal / retrospective fee, and whether any reduction or amnesty is in effect?

• Whether survey plan is included or separate, whether printing / submission fees are included.

• Whether insurance / special inspections are required (All Risk Insurance, etc.), and what cost that adds.

• Whether there are additional costs for environmental / soil test reports / flood / drainage clearances, etc.

• What is the timeline, and whether delay fees or extension fees apply.

Challenges in Getting Clear / Fixed Figures

While trying to budget, you’ll realize several challenges:

• Authorities often do not publish full fee schedules publicly, especially for all building types and sizes.

• Professional fees vary widely (experience, quality, location).

• Inflation and rising costs of materials & labour also affect how much professionals charge.

• Policy changes (waivers, penal fee reductions) are sometimes temporary, not always predictable.

• Some costs are “hidden” (printing of many plan sets, multiple inspections, corrections, unexpected requests from approving authority) which people may not budget for.

Sample Template: Budget Estimate Form

Below is a template you can adapt to your own project to estimate building approval cost. You can insert your own numbers based on quotes/professional estimates.

Use this with actual quotes and conversations with your professionals.

Call to Action

If you are planning a building project in Ogun State, don’t leave cost estimation to guesswork. Here are steps to take right now to budget properly and avoid surprise costs.

1. Engage a Registered Surveyor & Professionals Immediately
   Get your survey plan, architectural/design estimations, structural engineer’s input. Getting these early gives clarity on what your baseline cost will be.

2. Visit OGPDPA / Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development
   Find out the current official permit fees, policy on penal/reduced retrospective fees, whether any amnesty / waiver is active. Ask for their fee schedule or guidelines.

3. Get Multiple Quotes
   For drawings, inspections, insurance, etc., get 2‑3 quotes so you can compare and choose value, not just lowest cost which sometimes risks poor quality.

4. Include Buffer in Your Budget
   Add 10‑20% extra to expected costs to cater for unplanned requirements or corrections.

5. Act Early Where Reductions / Policies Apply
   If penal fee reductions or amortization period is available now, act now rather than later when more expensive.

6. Keep Documentation Clean & Transparent
   Make sure all submissions (plans, survey, title, insurance etc.) are proper, professionally done. Poor or incomplete documentation often leads to rejections, additional charges, delay (which often becomes costly).

Conclusion

The cost of obtaining building approval in Ogun State varies widely depending on multiple factors: building type and size, location, whether your structure adheres to regulations already or needs retrospective approval, whether insurance or special reports are needed, and whether you build in prime or general area. Recent policy changes—like drastic reductions in penal fees for unapproved buildings—mean individuals can save significantly if they regularize during these windows.

While there is no one‑size‑fits‑all fixed fee, realistic estimates for simple residential projects fall in hundreds of thousands of naira; for more complex or commercial projects, the cost could reach over a million naira or more.

If you plan carefully, use professionals, take advantage of favorable policy, keep good documentation, you stand a good chance of minimizing costs and securing your building approval smoothly.

Contact Us

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