Lagos Goes Tough On Illegal Dredging, Mining, Land Reclamation

Lagos State government has warned that any individual, no matter how highly placed, and entities engaged in illegal dredging, unregulated sand mining, and reckless land reclamation across its waterfronts will face the full wrath of the law.

The state’s governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, issued the stern warning at the first Lagos State Waterfront Summit yesterday. He declared that such environmental infractions will no longer be tolerated.

The governor in the summit, themed: ‘Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos experience’, that brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector, and waterfront communities said, “Let me be clear: those who profit from illegal dredging, reckless land reclamation, and environmental destruction are jeopardizing the future for generations to come and Lagos will no longer tolerate it,”

He decried the rapid degradation of the state’s coastal and marine assets, citing illegal activities and the effects of climate change as major contributors to erosion, flooding, and community displacement.

The governor, who reminisced on his recent visits to vulnerable communities like Ibeshe, Ilashe, and Inagbe, where residents are already experiencing the dire consequences of waterfront mismanagement, painted a grim picture of Idotun Village, once thriving but now nearly consumed by the Atlantic Ocean.

“This is the human face of coastal erosion… a wake-up call that we must act urgently and decisively,” he said, noting that over 80% of Lagos’ shoreline has been lost in the past 50 years.

To address the crisis, the governor revealed ongoing efforts to strengthen the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, empower local communities, and enforce stricter regulations on waterfront activities.

He emphasised that illegal operators would face the full weight of the law.

The event’s guest speaker, former Lagos State commissioner for Environment and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dr. Muiz Banire, called for collective action to protect the Lagos Lagoon, describing its preservation as a shared responsibility that transcends government alone.

Speaking on the urgent need for sustainable environmental practices, Banire emphasised that safeguarding the lagoon requires the involvement of all sectors of society, from lawmakers and regulators to private industries and everyday citizens.

“This is not the fight of the government alone. This is the fight of us all. Regulators must craft visionary laws, but not without properly federalising the country. Legislators must enact laws that endure beyond politics, while regulators must enforce them without fear, favour, or compromise,” Banire stated.

He also called on industries to adopt sustainable practices and urged the private sector to prioritise investments that secure long-term environmental well-being over short-term profits.

Banire also attacked the Federal Government for allegedly twisting the Supreme Court’s judgment on issues related to waterfront property ownership.

Earlier, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, described the lagoon as more than just water, emphasising its role as a source of life, culture, economy, and identity for millions of Lagosians.

“We have all witnessed how some coastal communities like Idotun village have been swept away. If nothing is done, more communities, livelihoods, and opportunities will be lost,” he warned.