Lagos orders forfeiture, heavy fines for illegal land reclamation

The Lagos State government has announced strict new sanctions against illegal land reclamation, including the forfeiture of half of any unlawfully reclaimed land and the imposition of heavy financial penalties based on market value, in a decisive crackdown on environmental abuse.

The directive was unveiled by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu, during an appearance on national television in the lead-up to the World Oceans Day.

The policy, approved by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is part of a broader strategy to protect the state’s fragile coastal and waterfront ecosystems.

The commissioner said: “Any unauthorised reclamation, especially those that encroach on or narrow our waterways, will now attract immediate forfeiture and market-value fines. This is not just policy on paper. It is an active deterrent.”