Several residents were displaced on Saturday as the Lagos State Government, through its enforcement agencies, began demolishing unapproved buildings and makeshift shanties along the Iyana Oworonshoki and Lekki coastlines.
The enforcement exercise came barely 48 hours after the state’s Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development raised concerns over unchecked sand dredging activities in Lagos. The ministry had warned that about 10,625 cubic metres of sand are extracted daily, a practice it said threatens aquatic habitats, destabilises the ecosystem, and could lead to the collapse of lagoon and waterfront areas.
Midnight Demolitions At Oworonshoki
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Residents of Ojulari community in Oworonshoki were jolted from sleep when bulldozers, accompanied by officers of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), arrived around midnight. The demolition, which began at about 2 a.m., targeted structures allegedly built without approved plans.
READ MORE : Six Suspects Atrested Over Destruction Of Lagos Traffic Barricade
Several occupants, numbering in the hundreds, were left homeless. Witnesses reported chaos when security operatives fired tear gas at about 12 a.m. to disperse agitated residents. The tension eased after authorities briefly allowed occupants to retrieve personal belongings following protests from residents, sympathisers, and street youths.
The exercise was later suspended for two weeks to give affected residents more time to remove their properties.
Exercise Extended To Lekki
Simultaneously, demolitions were also carried out in Lekki, targeting makeshift shanties said to harbour miscreants accused of attacking commuters and breaching environmental regulations.
At Iyana Oworonshoki, the operation was restricted to unapproved buildings erected on a sand-filled site facing the lagoon. The area had earlier been earmarked for development under the administration of former governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Although residents were reportedly given a one-month quit notice, many failed to vacate before the enforcement began. Several structures had already been pulled down as of press time, despite temporary suspension of the exercise following pleas from affected occupants.
Lagos Waterfront Summit Scheduled
The demolitions come ahead of the state’s maiden Waterfront Summit, organised by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, scheduled to take place from Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The three-day summit, themed “Pressure On The Lagoon: The Lagos Experience”, will highlight challenges facing Lagos’ waterfronts and explore sustainable solutions.
Speaking at a briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Dayo Bush Alebiosu, warned that coastal erosion had already destroyed some Lagos communities, including Idotun Village in Ibeju-Lekki, displacing families and crippling livelihoods.
“Coastal erosion is a regional problem with global implications. Lagos must take urgent steps to safeguard its communities, infrastructure, and economy,” Alebiosu said.
Collaboration With The Netherlands
The commissioner disclosed that the state is working with the Netherlands, known for expertise in coastal and water management, to develop long-term solutions. He added that a comprehensive bathymetric and hydrographic survey was underway to identify areas affected by over-dredging and under-dredging, citing Ibeshe as one of the worst-hit locations.
Beyond tackling environmental threats, Alebiosu emphasised the economic potential of the lagoon, which, if well managed, could boost tourism, fisheries, transport, and trade, thereby creating jobs for Lagosians.
He confirmed that over 500 experts and professionals across various sectors have been invited to the summit, where they are expected to share insights and propose actionable strategies.
“The lagoon is not just a body of water; it is our heritage, our economy, and our future. This summit is a call to action for Lagosians, experts, and stakeholders to work together in protecting it before it is too late,” Alebiosu stressed.
The commissioner reiterated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to safeguarding Lagos’ waterfronts, adding that the summit would serve as a major step toward sustainable waterfront management in the state.
