The Lagos State Government has ordered an immediate suspension of all ongoing reclamation projects across the state, citing environmental and social risks linked to unchecked land recovery activities.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the decision in a statement on Thursday, warning that many developers had proceeded with reclamation on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons without securing Environmental Impact Assessment approvals or drainage clearance.
“While reclamation may create space for housing and infrastructure, it also comes with severe risks,” Wahab said.
“These include flooding, coastal erosion, loss of wetlands and biodiversity, pollution of water channels, and disruption of livelihoods, especially fishing. With Lagos’ low-lying topography, we cannot allow indiscriminate reclamation of lagoons and wetlands to continue unchecked.”
The commissioner listed high-profile areas such as Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne in Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo, and Badagry as locations where such activities are already taking place.
According to him, all projects — whether approved or not — are to be suspended until they undergo fresh documentation and monitoring.
“Every ongoing or planned reclamation must pass through the Environmental Impact Assessment process and obtain approval and drainage clearance from the ministry,” Wahab added.
The ministry also issued a seven-day compliance deadline, threatening to dismantle illegal sites and prosecute defaulters.
“Failure to comply will leave us with no choice but to decommission reclaimed sites, reopen blocked water channels, and arrest those found violating this directive,” the commissioner warned.
