LAGOS GOVT TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL LAND RECLAMATION, WATERFRONT ENCROACHMENT
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to commence full enforcement against individuals and organisations involved in illegal land reclamation and waterfront encroachment across the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
According to the statement, the enforcement exercise will begin on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued through public notices published in The PUNCH and The Nation newspapers on September 18 and 19, respectively.
Wahab explained that the grace period for compliance and cessation of illegal reclamation activities expired on September 25, 2025, stressing that the government would now proceed with strict enforcement of environmental laws.
“It has become imperative to notify the general public, particularly individuals, developers, and corporate bodies engaging in unauthorised land reclamation and waterfront encroachment, that the grace period of seven days for compliance and cessation of illegal reclamation activities has since expired,” the statement read.
The commissioner stated that, in line with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency Law 2017 and other extant regulations, the following measures would be implemented without further notice:
Removal of all illegal reclamation structures and fillings without statutory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Drainage Clearance Certificates.
Seizure of all reclamation equipment and materials found on prohibited sites.
Prosecution of offenders in accordance with environmental and urban development laws of the state.
Wahab emphasised that these measures are essential to protect the environment, prevent flooding, and ensure public safety.
He also warned residents against buying land from illegal reclamation operators to avoid government sanctions. “Enough is enough,” Wahab declared, reaffirming the government’s commitment to restoring order and safeguarding the state’s coastal and waterfront areas.
Earlier, the Lagos State Government had ordered the immediate suspension of all reclamation projects across the state, citing grave environmental and social risks posed by ongoing activities in wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon areas. Wahab had also warned that failure to comply would lead to site decommissioning, prosecution, and arrest of offenders.
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