The Lagos State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all land reclamation activities across the state, citing severe environmental risks and unauthorized developments. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab announced the directive on Thursday, emphasizing that the move aims to protect wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons from indiscriminate development .
The suspension affects both approved and ongoing projects, including those in high-profile areas such as Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Ikorodu, Ojo, and Badagry . Wahab noted that many of these projects lacked mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals and drainage clearance from the ministry, posing threats like increased flooding, coastal erosion, loss of biodiversity, and disruption to livelihoods, particularly fishing communities .
Developers have been given a seven-day ultimatum to comply with the directive. Those who fail to do so risk strict penalties, including site decommissioning, excavation of illegally placed materials, reopening of blocked water channels, and arrest and prosecution . The commissioner stressed that the state’s low-lying topography and fragile ecosystem cannot sustain unchecked reclamation without grave consequences .
Approved projects must be resubmitted for documentation and monitoring, while ongoing and planned activities must undergo the EIA process and secure drainage clearance before proceeding . The government reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban development and environmental protection, warning that reckless reclamation efforts endanger both residents and the ecosystem .
This decision aligns with broader efforts to mitigate flooding and ecological degradation in Lagos, following recent actions against illegal developments in sensitive zones, such as the sealing of Maverick Estate in Gbagada for wetland encroachment in 2024 .
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