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The Lagos State Government has announced that it will begin enforcement against illegal land reclamation and waterfront encroachment starting October 15, 2025, as part of efforts to protect the environment and prevent flooding across the state.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday. Wahab said the exercise would involve the removal of all unauthorized reclamation structures, the seizure of equipment, and the prosecution of violators in line with state laws.
He said the enforcement would target individuals, developers, and corporate organizations engaged in land reclamation activities without the necessary government approvals such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Drainage Clearance Certificates.
According to Wahab, the crackdown follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to illegal operators through public notices published in The Punch and The Nation newspapers on September 18 and 19, 2025. The grace period ended on September 25, but reports indicated that several violators continued their operations despite the warning.
“Following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given by the Lagos State Government through two public notices published on September 18 and 19 in The Punch and The Nation, it has become imperative to notify the general public, particularly individuals, developers, and corporate bodies engaging in unauthorized land reclamation and waterfront encroachment, that the grace period for compliance and cessation of illegal reclamation activities expired on September 25, 2025,” Wahab said.
He added that the following measures would be enforced without further notice:
- Removal of all illegal reclamation structures and fillings without statutory 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 Lagos State.
Wahab explained that the enforcement exercise was necessary to safeguard the state’s natural waterways, prevent flooding, and ensure the safety of residents. He cautioned members of the public against collaborating with illegal developers or obstructing the enforcement team, warning that such actions could expose them to legal and physical risks.
He said the illegal reclamation activities had become a major cause of blocked drainage channels, which contribute to frequent flooding in several parts of Lagos, especially during the rainy season.
Over the weekend, the state government sealed off several illegal reclamation sites near the Ikota River, including areas around Partibons Homes Estate and Bee-Forth Estate Phase II in Lekki. Officials from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources discovered that the reclamations had blocked key drainage routes, heightening the risk of flooding in nearby residential communities.
The Commissioner stated that the government’s action forms part of a broader environmental protection plan that integrates flood control, urban development, and ecological restoration.
Beyond the ongoing crackdown, Lagos State has initiated several structural and engineering projects under its Blue-Green Network to manage stormwater and enhance environmental resilience. Over the next 24 months, the government plans to integrate estate lakes, canals, and pumps into a connected network designed to reduce flash floods.
The plan includes the installation of flap gates, restoration of canal rights-of-way, and expansion of major drainage channels. Between 2023 and 2025, the state said it completed maintenance on 579 kilometres of secondary collectors and 309 kilometres of primary channels, while 218 new drainage channels were awarded for construction.
The Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), a special operations unit under the Ministry, also cleared 444 kilometres of drains, restored 40 kilometres of encroached channels, and installed debris screens across flood-prone areas. The unit has also piloted the development of estate lakes as part of Lagos’ long-term drainage and flood prevention strategy.
Wahab emphasized that the government will not relent in enforcing its environmental regulations, noting that the proliferation of illegal reclamation activities threatens the sustainability of the city’s coastal system. He added that new building approvals will continue to include provisions for on-site water retention, as part of Lagos State’s updated urban development and environmental control framework.
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable urban planning and called on residents to support the ongoing efforts by reporting illegal reclamation sites to the authorities.
