Starting October 15, 2025, the Lagos State Government will commence the demolition of unauthorized land reclamation structures and initiate legal action against violators.
This was confirmed by Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources in Lagos State, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday.
The crackdown will focus on individuals, developers, and corporate entities involved in illegal land reclamation and encroachment along waterfronts.
The directive follows the expiration of a seven-day compliance window, which ended on September 25, after public notices were issued. Despite this, reports indicate that some parties have persisted with unlawful reclamation activities.
Wahab stated that the Ministry overseeing environmental affairs will dismantle all reclamation works and fill materials installed without the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Drainage Clearance Certificates. Additionally, any equipment and materials used in these unauthorized projects will be confiscated, and offenders will be prosecuted under Lagos State’s environmental and urban planning regulations.
“After the lapse of the seven-day deadline announced through two separate public notices published on September 18 and 19 in The Punch and The Nation newspapers, it is now essential to inform the public-especially individuals, developers, and corporate bodies engaged in illegal land reclamation and waterfront encroachment-that the grace period for halting such activities expired on September 25, 2025,” the statement partially read.
The government outlined the following enforcement actions to be taken without further warning:
- Complete removal of all illegal reclamation structures and fill materials lacking the required EIA and Drainage Clearance Certificates.
- Confiscation of all equipment and materials found on unauthorized reclamation sites.
- Legal prosecution of offenders in line with the State’s Environmental and Urban Development Laws.
Wahab underscored that these measures are critical to safeguarding the environment, mitigating flood risks, and ensuring the safety of the public. He also cautioned residents against supporting illegal reclamation operators to avoid potential hazards and legal repercussions.
Key Updates
Over the recent weekend, authorities sealed off multiple illegal reclamation sites along the Ikota River, particularly near Partibons Homes Estate and Bee-Forth Estate Phase II in Lekki. These unauthorized activities had obstructed vital drainage pathways, increasing the likelihood of flooding.
- In addition to sealing and planned removal of illegal structures, the state intends to incorporate estate lakes, canals, and pumping stations into a comprehensive Blue-Green Network within the next two years. This initiative aims to enhance stormwater management and reduce flash flooding through measures such as installing flap gates, restoring canal easements, and widening drainage channels.
- From 2023 to 2025, maintenance efforts covered 579 kilometers of secondary drainage collectors and 309 kilometers of primary channels, alongside awarding contracts for constructing 218 new drainage channels.
- The Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), a specialized unit under the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, has cleared 444 kilometers of drains, rehabilitated 40 kilometers of encroached channels, installed debris screens, and piloted the management of estate lakes.
These initiatives are part of Lagos State’s broader strategy to combat flooding, which also includes regulations mandating on-site water retention for new developments.