The Enugu State Government has announced a 90-day amnesty for property owners whose buildings lack approved plans, as part of efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance and promote orderly urban development across the state.
The initiative was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Enugu by the Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Mr. Chiwetalu Nwatu. 
According to the statement, the amnesty will be implemented in collaboration with relevant planning authorities and is aimed at allowing owners of existing buildings to regularise their properties without facing sanctions.
Under the amnesty programme, owners of buildings without approved plans are required to submit as-built drawings for approval through ENGIS. Property owners who do not have existing drawings have been advised to engage certified architects to prepare as-built plans that accurately reflect the current state of their structures and submit them within the amnesty period.
ENGIS explained that the measure is designed to improve compliance, sanitise the built environment, and reinforce structured physical development in line with the state government’s urban planning agenda.
The agency also issued a strong warning on future compliance, stressing that no building plan approval will henceforth be granted without a registered land title. Acceptable documents, it noted, include a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or a registered Deed of Assignment.
Furthermore, the agency cautioned 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 called on individuals and corporate bodies holding land under Power of Attorney arrangements to regularise their documentation by registering proper title instruments, to ensure eligibility for building approvals and full legal protection.
Speaking on the policy, Mr. Nwatu described the amnesty as a corrective and forward-looking intervention.
“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 move aligns with the state’s broader land administration reforms.
“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 that Enugu grows in a planned and sustainable manner,” Nwatu stated.
The 90-day amnesty took effect on Friday, February 27, 2026.
