Announced in the lead-up to the 2025 World Oceans Day, the initiative was detailed by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr. Dayo Bush Alebiosu, who described the policy as essential for curbing unregulated encroachment on waterways.

Under the new regulation, any unauthorised reclamation activity that disrupts or narrows the state’s natural water channels will attract an automatic forfeiture of 50 percent of the reclaimed land to the government. In addition to the forfeiture, offenders will face significant fines based on the prevailing market value of the affected property.

Mr. Alebiosu noted that the Lagos Lagoon and its adjoining bodies of water are not merely geographic features, but critical components of the state’s ecological and economic systems. “This is not just about land. It is about preserving a vital part of our heritage and future,” he said.

To enforce compliance and deter future violations, the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure is working in close coordination with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, as well as the electronic Geographic Information Systems (eGIS) office. This collaboration aims to strengthen surveillance of the state’s waterways and clamp down on illegal dredging and reclamation operations.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, reiterated Lagos’ broader environmental strategy while speaking at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France. He affirmed that the state remains proactive in addressing the effects of climate change, particularly those arising from its coastal location.

“Lagos is not a passive observer of climate risks,” Mr. Wahab declared. “We are witnessing rising sea levels, increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, and soaring temperatures. But our response has been strategic and sustained.”

He highlighted major investments in the state’s drainage infrastructure over the past two years, including continuous clearing of primary and secondary drains aimed at reducing the incidence of urban flooding. He also spoke on the state’s shift from a linear waste disposal model to a circular economy framework, turning Lagos’ 13,000 tonnes of daily waste into a resource for energy and material recovery.

Mr. Wahab reaffirmed the state government’s long-term vision of building a more secure, environmentally sustainable, and climate-resilient Lagos—one that can be passed on to future generations with pride.

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Enforcement operatives from the Wetland and Conservation Department of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources carried out the operation on Saturday.

This was confirmed by Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, through a post on his official X account on Sunday.

Wahab’s post indicated that the property was sealed due to “illegal reclamation of wetland and construction without requisite drainage clearance and wetland permit.” He further explained that the ministry had previously issued a stop-work order on August 15 to Charterhouse and neighboring properties due to concerns regarding environmental degradation, including the loss of wetlands, biodiversity decline, and disruption of natural buffer zones essential for flood prevention and water retention.

Despite the issuance of the stop-work order, construction activities continued at the site without obtaining the necessary drainage clearance and wetland permits, prompting the enforcement action taken by the ministry.

In recent months, the Lagos State Government has significantly intensified its efforts to protect wetlands and other vital ecosystems, aiming to curb unauthorized development in ecologically sensitive areas. This is part of a broader initiative for environmental sustainability.

In September, the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources also sealed Maverick Estate in Gbagada for encroaching on designated wetland areas, demonstrating a continued commitment to enforcing environmental regulations. Additionally, the government issued contravention notices to 69 companies for unauthorized use of waterfront setbacks in Lekki Phase 1, urging these entities to provide documentation to the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development in Alausa, Ikeja. Failure to comply with this directive could result in the sealing or demolition of their properties.

Commissioner Wahab reiterated the government’s commitment to regulatory enforcement to prevent the illegal conversion of wetlands and critical habitats into residential or commercial zones without official authorization. Areas such as Epe, Ejigbo, Badagry, Ikorodu, and Itoikin have been identified as primary targets in the ongoing enforcement initiative, underlining the government’s dedication to sustainable environmental practices across Lagos.

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