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The Lagos State Government has announced the start of full enforcement actions against illegal land reclamation and waterfront encroachment, marking a major step in its ongoing environmental protection drive.
According to a statement issued by Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, the operation will commence on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum published in The PUNCH and The Nation newspapers on September 18 and 19.
Wahab stated that the grace period for compliance ended on September 25, 2025, warning that any individual or organization still engaging in unauthorized reclamation activities would face immediate sanctions.
“It has become imperative to notify the general public, particularly individuals, developers, and corporate bodies engaging in unauthorised land reclamation and waterfront encroachment, that the grace period for compliance has expired,” the statement read.
The commissioner emphasized that the state will now proceed with strict implementation of environmental and urban development laws in line with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017.
Among the enforcement measures listed are:
Wahab reiterated that these actions were necessary to protect the environment, prevent flooding, and safeguard public safety, stressing that the government would no longer tolerate reckless land reclamation in sensitive ecological zones.
“Enough is enough,” Wahab declared. “The government is determined to restore order and protect Lagos’ coastal and waterfront areas from further abuse.”
The Lagos State Government also warned residents to avoid purchasing land from illegal reclamation operators, noting that such transactions would be nullified and subject to government sanctions.
Earlier reports by PUNCH Online indicated that the state had ordered a temporary suspension of all land reclamation projects in September 2025 due to environmental and social risks. The order followed concerns over unregulated activities threatening wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon ecosystems.
The commissioner further noted that failure to comply with the state’s directive would result in decommissioning of affected sites, arrests, and prosecution of violators.
The enforcement drive aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader climate resilience and flood control agenda, which prioritizes the preservation of natural waterways, wetlands, and drainage systems.
By clamping down on illegal land reclamation, the Lagos State Government aims to prevent recurring floods, protect biodiversity, and ensure long-term urban sustainability in Africa’s largest coastal city.
Wahab assured that enforcement teams from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) will jointly oversee compliance.
With the full enforcement of its illegal land reclamation crackdown, Lagos is taking a bold stand to balance rapid urbanization with environmental preservation. The coming weeks will reveal how far the government can go in holding violators accountable and restoring sanity to the state’s waterfront zones.
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