The Lagos State Government has announced that it will begin full enforcement actions against individuals and organisations involved in illegal land reclamation and encroachment on waterfronts across the state starting Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
This comes after the expiration of a seven-day grace period issued through public notices in major newspapers last month. In a statement released by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the government made it clear that it will no longer tolerate environmental violations that put lives, properties, and ecosystems at risk.
“It has become imperative to notify the public—especially developers and corporate bodies—that the grace period for compliance has expired,” Wahab stated.
As part of the enforcement, the government will begin:
- Removing all illegal reclamation works done without proper Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) or Drainage Clearance Certificates
- Seizing equipment and materials found at unlawful sites
- Prosecuting anyone involved under existing environmental and urban development laws
Wahab stressed that these measures are being taken to protect Lagos from avoidable environmental hazards, including flooding and erosion, which have been worsened by unchecked reclamation activities, especially in wetlands and coastal zones.
He also cautioned members of the public not to buy land from illegal reclamation operators, warning that such purchases could result in financial loss and government sanctions.
“Enough is enough,” Wahab declared. “We’re taking these steps to safeguard the environment and ensure public safety for current and future generations.”
This latest move follows the state government’s earlier directive to suspend all ongoing land reclamation projects, citing the potential danger they pose to the environment and surrounding communities.
With the grace period officially over, the Lagos Ministry of Environment is now set to take aggressive action against violators, including the decommissioning of sites and legal consequences for those who fail to comply.
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