The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to mitigate flooding across vulnerable areas ahead of anticipated heavy rainfall.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this during an inspection of flood-prone locations across Lagos Island and the Mainland.

The team visited areas including Apongbon and Olowogbowo, where recent construction activities have worsened flooding conditions. Wahab explained that ongoing construction in Apongbon triggered recent flooding, adding that the state has engaged the Federal Government and commenced corrective measures.

At Olowogbowo, he noted that rehabilitation work is already underway, with significant progress recorded to restore proper drainage and reduce flood risks.

Addressing concerns around the System 1 drainage channel, Wahab said flooding complaints from residents in Sholuyi and Bariga were linked to soil displacement during construction. He assured that additional equipment has been deployed to clear blockages and stabilise the channel.

The System 1 project, a major drainage initiative spanning Ikeja, Maryland, Bariga, and Shomolu, is expected to play a critical role in controlling flooding across key parts of Lagos Mainland once completed.

“We are a coastal state and must manage that reality. This project will significantly reduce flooding across the mainland,” Wahab said.

The commissioner also urged residents to avoid open defecation and make use of public sanitation facilities, noting that the government currently operates over 1,700 public toilets statewide, with plans to expand access.

On urban renewal, Wahab revealed that the state has commenced the MTN Yello Park project in Obalende, a recreational development expected to be completed within 21 weeks. He added that temporary relocations may occur but assured that affected individuals would return after project completion.

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The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved a 50-year lease renewal for property owners in the Ikoyi-Obalende axis as part of a comprehensive urban regeneration initiative.

The decision was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ikoyi, where government officials engaged residents on the proposed Obalende redevelopment project.

Government Targets Urban Renewal and Better Planning

Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development, Olajide Babatunde, said the approval followed years of consultations with residents and stakeholders.

He explained that the initiative goes beyond lease renewal, focusing on restructuring the area to align with modern urban planning standards.

According to him, smaller land parcels will be merged into larger plots to improve:
• Road networks
• Drainage systems
• Ventilation
• Emergency access

Plots Restructured to Meet Building Code Standards

Further details of the project show that 213 plots have been restructured into 100 plots in line with the Lagos State Building Code.

Under the new layout:
• Residential plots will have a minimum size of 744 square metres
• Commercial plots will be no less than 1,160 square metres

The restructuring is expected to reduce congestion and enhance environmental quality while supporting modern housing and commercial development.

Original Owners Retain Land Rights

In a significant policy shift, the Lagos State Government opted to return the land to original leaseholders rather than reallocate it to new occupants, despite the expiration of previous leases.

Officials say this approach will preserve ownership rights while encouraging redevelopment and investment in the area.

Stakeholders Welcome Development

The lawmaker representing the area described the approval as a long-overdue solution to lease-related challenges that had stalled development for over a decade.

Also speaking, the General Manager of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation, Kolawole Peregrino, commended the governor’s intervention.

Chairman of the Landlords Association, Mrs. Ebun Ekemode, urged residents to comply with the new guidelines to ensure smooth implementation.

Part of Wider Lagos Regeneration Strategy

The Obalende project is part of a broader Lagos State urban renewal plan targeting older districts across the city.

Similar regeneration efforts are currently ongoing in areas such as:
• Oke-Arin
• Idumagbo
• Jankara
• Alaba Rago

Residents and community leaders have welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that it will improve living conditions, boost property values, and attract new investments.

The project signals Lagos State’s continued push toward structured urban development and sustainable city planning.

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The Lagos State Government has disclosed that $2 million has been set aside for the redevelopment of the Makoko waterfront, as authorities confirmed that the ongoing demolition exercise in the community has been suspended.

The pause followed a meeting between representatives of the Makoko community and officials of the Lagos State Government, where residents raised concerns over displacement, loss of homes and the social impact of the demolitions.

According to government officials, the suspension is aimed at creating room for further engagement, while discussions on compensation, resettlement options and the broader redevelopment plan continue.

Residents of Makoko, a densely populated waterfront settlement in Lagos, said the halt offers temporary relief after weeks of uncertainty and tension triggered by the demolition exercise. Many families had complained that they were displaced without adequate notice or clear information on compensation and relocation.

Government sources said the state remains committed to regenerating the Makoko waterfront in line with urban renewal plans, adding that the earmarked $2 million would support rebuilding efforts and infrastructure development in the area.

Officials explained that the redevelopment plan is intended to improve living conditions, address environmental concerns and integrate the waterfront community into Lagos’ broader urban growth strategy.

The meeting held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, provided an opportunity for community leaders to present their grievances directly to government representatives. Issues raised included the loss of shelter, disruption of livelihoods, access to basic services and fears that residents could be permanently displaced from their ancestral homes.

According to those present at the meeting, government officials assured the community that no further demolition would take place for now and that affected residents would be carried along in subsequent decisions.

The development comes amid growing public attention on the Makoko demolition, with civil society groups, lawyers and human rights advocates calling on the Lagos State Government to adopt a more humane and consultative approach.

The Lagos State House of Assembly had earlier intervened in the matter, ordering an immediate halt to demolitions in Makoko and adjoining communities, including Oko-Agbon and Shogunro. Lawmakers also pledged that residents whose properties had already been demolished would be compensated.

The Assembly’s intervention followed protests by displaced residents, which drew attention to the humanitarian implications of the demolition exercise.

While the state government has defended the demolition as part of its urban renewal and waterfront development agenda, officials have repeatedly insisted that affected residents would not be abandoned.

Authorities said the Makoko regeneration plan aligns with broader efforts to modernise Lagos’ waterfronts, improve environmental sustainability and reduce risks associated with unplanned settlements, including flooding and fire outbreaks.

However, community leaders have stressed that any redevelopment must prioritise the welfare of existing residents and avoid turning Makoko into a project that benefits only investors and high-income earners.

For now, residents say they are awaiting clearer timelines, detailed compensation frameworks and concrete resettlement plans that would guarantee their right to housing and livelihood.

The Lagos State Government has not yet released a detailed breakdown of how the $2 million rebuilding fund will be utilised, but officials said further engagements with community stakeholders would guide the next phase of action.

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