The Lagos State Government has announced plans to commence full enforcement actions against individuals and organisations involved in illegal land reclamation and waterfront encroachment across the state.
This was contained in a statement signed and released on Monday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
According to the statement, the enforcement exercise will begin on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued through public notices published in The PUNCH and The Nation newspapers on September 18 and 19, respectively.
Wahab explained that the grace period for compliance and cessation of all illegal reclamation activities expired on September 25, 2025, stressing that the government would now embark on strict implementation of environmental laws.
“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 of seven days for compliance and cessation of illegal reclamation activities has since expired,” the statement read.
The commissioner further stated that, in line with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law 2017 and other regulations, the following measures would take immediate effect:
“Removal of all illegal reclamation structures and fillings without statutory Environmental Impact Assessment (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 the state.”
Wahab emphasised that the actions were necessary to protect the environment, prevent flooding, and ensure public safety.
He cautioned residents against buying land from illegal reclamation operators, warning that such transactions could attract government sanctions.
“Enough is enough,” Wahab declared, reaffirming the government’s determination to restore order and safeguard the state’s coastal and waterfront areas.
Earlier reports indicated that the Lagos State Government had ordered the immediate suspension of all reclamation projects across the state due to the environmental and social risks posed by ongoing activities in wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon zones.
Tokunbo Wahab had previously warned of strict enforcement measures against violators, including site decommissioning, prosecution, and arrests.
He maintained that failure to comply with the directive within the stipulated seven days “shall leave the Ministry with no other option than to deploy appropriate machinery to decommission the reclaimed sites.”
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