Lagos to Take Action Against Illegal Land Reclamation from October 15

The Lagos State Government has announced that it will begin removing illegal land reclamation structures and prosecuting offenders starting October 15, 2025.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, revealed this in a statement shared on his official X account on Monday. According to him, the enforcement will target individuals, developers, and companies involved in unauthorized land reclamation and waterfront encroachment across the state.

This decision follows the expiration of a seven-day grace period issued through public notices in Punch and The Nation newspapers on September 18 and 19. Despite the warning, several operators reportedly continued their illegal reclamation activities.

Wahab explained that the Ministry will remove all illegal reclamation structures and fillings that do not have the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Drainage Clearance Certificates. 

In addition, equipment and materials found on such sites will be seized, and offenders will face prosecution under Lagos State environmental and urban development laws.

He said the enforcement was necessary to protect the environment, prevent flooding, and ensure public safety. “Residents should avoid aiding or supporting illegal reclamation operators to avoid legal consequences or risks,” Wahab warned.

Over the weekend, the state government sealed off several illegal reclamation sites near the Ikota River, especially around Partibons Homes Estate and Bee-Forth Estate Phase II in Lekki. These illegal activities had blocked key drainage channels, increasing the risk of flooding in the area.

Beyond demolition and prosecution, the government is also taking broader steps to manage stormwater and prevent flash floods. In the next 24 months, Lagos plans to connect estate lakes, canals, and pumps into a Blue-Green Network, a system designed to improve drainage and manage floodwater naturally.

So far, the Ministry has maintained 579 km of secondary collectors and 309 km of primary drainage channels between 2023 and 2025, while awarding 218 new channels for construction. 

The Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), a unit under the Ministry, has also cleared 444 km of drains, restored 40 km of encroached channels, installed debris screens, and piloted estate lakes.

The Lagos State Government says these actions are part of a long-term flood control plan that includes strict building rules requiring developers to provide on-site water retention systems in new projects.

With the new enforcement starting October 15, the state is sending a clear message: illegal reclamation will no longer be tolerated.