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Ministry of Lands and Survey

Building Plan Approval

Have your building plans approved before you build — by the Ministry, or by the development authority for Aba, Umuahia or Ohafia.

Who can apply

The holder of the land, their registered attorney, or a developer building with the holder's written consent.

  • The land is mine
  • I am applying for the company that holds the land
  • I am the owner's attorney (registered power of attorney)
  • I am developing the land with the holder's written consent

What you receive

A building plan approval (BA-SP-…) with its validity dates and a QR code that anyone can verify.

What you will need

Your application asks only for what your answers call for. Clear scans or photographs (PDF, JPG or PNG) are fine.

  • Architectural drawings (plans, sections, elevations) Required
  • Structural drawings and calculations Required If: How many floors is Two or more
  • Site plan (the building on the plot, with its setbacks) Required
  • Copy of the title Required If: The land document is An older title on paper
  • The holder's written consent to the development Required If you apply as: i am developing the land with the holder's written consent
  • Your means of identification Required
  • The architect's and engineer's registration certificates Required If: How many floors is Two or more
  • Environmental impact assessment or clearance (optional) If: What the building is for is Industrial
  • Fire safety plan (optional) If: What the building is for is Commercial or Industrial or Institutional (school, hospital, office of a public body) or Mixed use
  • Photographs of the site (optional)
  • Certificate of incorporation (CAC) Required If you apply as: i am applying for the company that holds the land
  • CAC status report (or Forms CAC 2 and 7) Required If you apply as: i am applying for the company that holds the land
  • Board resolution authorising the application Required If you apply as: i am applying for the company that holds the land

How it is processed

  1. Registry vetting
  2. BIR assessment and payment
  3. Technical review
  4. Site inspection
  5. Director's approval
  6. Issuance

Each stage is decided by the officer responsible for it, and approvals by officers who took no other part in the case. You are told at every step.

What is checked

  • The land document (survey plan, power of attorney or title) is on the register, current, and names you — or the holder has consented in writing
  • No caveat, court order, pending suit or acquisition on the land
  • For an attorney: a registered power of attorney naming you, from the owner, covering this land and this purpose
  • No other application for the same land is open
  • The holder's tax clearance, and capital gains tax or stamp duty where the transaction attracts them (Board of Internal Revenue)