The Lagos State Government has announced that it will commence full-scale enforcement against people and organisations engaged in illegal land reclamation and waterfront encroachment across the state.

The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

According to Wahab, the enforcement exercise will begin on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier on September 18 and 19, respectively.

He explained that the grace period for compliance and suspension of all unauthorised reclamation activities expired on September 25, 2025, noting that the government would now move to enforce relevant environmental regulations without delay.

“It has become necessary to inform the general public, particularly individuals, developers, and corporate entities involved in unauthorised reclamation or waterfront encroachment, that the grace period for compliance has lapsed,” the statement read.

The commissioner stated that, in line with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017 and other existing regulations, the government will now implement the following measures:

Removal of all illegal reclamation structures and fillings undertaken without approved Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, and Drainage Clearance Certificates.

Seizure of all reclamation equipment and materials found at unauthorised sites.

Prosecution of offenders under environmental and urban development laws of the state.

Wahab stressed that the enforcement drive is critical to protecting the environment, preventing flooding, and ensuring public safety.

He also cautioned residents against purchasing land from illegal reclamation operators, warning that such transactions would not be recognised by the government.

“Enough is enough,” Wahab declared, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to restoring order and safeguarding Lagos’ coastal and waterfront zones.

The announcement follows an earlier directive by the state government suspending all reclamation projects across Lagos due to environmental and social risks associated with ongoing activities in wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon areas.

Wahab also warned that failure to comply with the directive would leave the ministry with no option but to decommission reclaimed sites, prosecute violators, and arrest offenders found operating illegally.

Lagos to begin crackdown on illegal land reclamation, waterfront encroachment October 15