The Lagos State Government has ordered the suspension of all ongoing and proposed land reclamation projects across the state, citing severe environmental and social risks linked to uncontrolled activities.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said in a statement that unauthorized reclamation works had been spreading rapidly on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon fronts in high-risk areas, including Banana Island, Parkview, Osborne, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo, and Badagry.
He noted that many of the projects were being executed without mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals or drainage clearances. “While reclamation may create room for urban development, the associated dangers cannot be overlooked. These include heightened flooding risks, coastal erosion, disruption of livelihoods, particularly for fishing communities, loss of wetlands and biodiversity, reduction in lagoon capacity, and deterioration of water quality,” Wahab said.
Given Lagos’ low-lying terrain and fragile ecosystem, Wahab stressed that the government would no longer tolerate reckless reclamation practices that endanger lives and property.
The suspension takes immediate effect, with all previously approved projects required to be resubmitted to the ministry for documentation and monitoring. Ongoing and proposed projects must also undergo a full EIA process and secure clearance before continuation.
Wahab issued a seven-day compliance deadline, warning that defaulters risk sanctions, including site decommissioning, excavation and removal of illegal fills, reopening of obstructed water channels, as well as arrests and prosecution.
“Enough is enough,” he declared, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding the state from ecological disasters.