Lagos Govt Warns Lagoon Under Threat, Plans First Waterfront Summit, "The Signs Are Clear"
- The Lagos state government has raised alarm over the worsening condition of the city’s lagoon, blaming unregulated dredging, abandoned wrecks, among others
- Dayo Bush Alebiosu, the commissioner for waterfront infrastructure development, urged urgent collaboration from residents, government agencies, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders
- To address the crisis, the Lagos government will host the first Lagos Waterfront Summit on September 11, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as chief host
Lagos, Nigeria - The Lagos state authorities have warned that the city’s lagoon is facing severe strain from unregulated dredging, abandoned wrecks and indiscriminate land reclamation, leading to worsening floods, shrinking fish stocks and displaced communities.
Dayo Bush Alebiosu, the commissioner for waterfront infrastructure development, in a statement on Monday, August 18, said the situation demands urgent collaboration among residents, government agencies, traditional rulers, researchers and the private sector.
Source: Twitter
First Waterfront Summit announced
To tackle the crisis, the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development has announced it will host the inaugural Lagos Waterfront Summit on September 11, 2025, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island. The event will run under the theme “Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos Experience.”
The commissioner said:
“Let’s get this conversation started about our beloved lagoon, which is under siege from shady dredging operations, abandoned wrecks, and indiscriminate land reclamation.
"The signs are clear: worsening floods, disappearing fish, and communities struggling to stay afloat.
"Our lagoon is under pressure, but we are taking action this September with the first Lagos Waterfront Summit and Stakeholders’ Engagement.
"We are talking real solutions. Government agencies, researchers, traditional rulers, developers, community voices, the private sector, and global partners are invited."
Waterfront summit: Sanwo-Olu to lead stakeholder talks
Legit.ng gathers that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will serve as chief host, while residents are encouraged to share ideas on safeguarding the lagoon for future generations.
Princess Remi Fagbemi, the consultant for the summit, said the engagement will offer “a unique opportunity to secure the future of Lagos’ waterfront”.
She urged stakeholders to attend the event in large numbers, describing it as a unique opportunity to secure the future of Lagos’ waterfront.
Source: Getty Images
Floods: Lagos govt lists areas residents should evacuate
In another report, as flash floods overrun some communities, the Lagos state government on Tuesday, August 5, said there should be an urgent evacuation of some residents. The government attributed the current flooding risk to the state’s coastal geography and the broader impacts of climate change.
Tokunbo Wahab, commissioner for the environment and water resources, stated this while speaking in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by Legit.ng.
Legit.ng had reported how several parts of Lagos were submerged on Monday, August 4, following hours of rainfall that disrupted commercial activities and left many residents counting their losses. The downpour, which began around midnight, affected Mushin, Ikorodu, Lekki, Oke Arin, Adeniji, Apongbon, and Isheri/Bucknor.
Source: Legit.ng
