90-Day Grace, Zero Tolerance After: Enugu Gov’t Unveils Amnesty for Unapproved Buildings

The Enugu State Government has announced a 90-day amnesty window for property owners without approved building plans to regularise their properties, in a decisive move to enforce structured urban development and strengthen regulatory compliance across the state.

The initiative, which took effect on Friday, February 27, 2026, was disclosed in a statement issued in Enugu by the Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Chiwetalu Nwatu.

According to the statement, the amnesty—being implemented in collaboration with relevant planning authorities—offers owners of existing buildings lacking approved plans the opportunity to secure proper documentation and avoid future sanctions.

Under the arrangement, affected property owners are required to submit as-built drawings of their structures for approval through ENGIS. Those without existing drawings have been advised to engage certified architects to prepare as-built plans reflecting the current state of their buildings and submit them within the 90-day window.

ENGIS explained that the measure is aimed at improving regulatory compliance, sanitising the built environment, and reinforcing orderly physical development in line with the administration’s urban planning agenda.

Stricter Enforcement Ahead

While offering the amnesty, the government issued a firm advisory on mandatory compliance moving forward. It stressed that no building plan approval will henceforth be granted without a registered land title. Acceptable title documents include a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or a registered Deed of Assignment.

Furthermore, the agency warned that no construction should commence without both a valid land title and an approved building plan issued by the appropriate authority, including ENGIS, the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), or designated town planning offices.

ENGIS also urged individuals and corporate bodies holding land under Power of Attorney arrangements to regularise their documentation by registering proper title instruments to ensure eligibility for approvals and full legal protection.

Describing the policy as both corrective and forward-looking, Nwatu emphasised that the window is not punitive but reform-driven.

“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 initiative aligns with broader land administration reforms in the state. “Going forward, we are institutionalising a culture where land title and building approval go hand in hand. This is critical for protecting genuine property owners and ensuring Enugu grows in a planned and sustainable manner,” Nwatu stated.

With the clock now ticking on the 90-day grace period, stakeholders say the policy signals a shift toward stricter enforcement of building regulations and a renewed push for sustainable urban growth across Enugu State.