By Kogi News Tribune | July 30, 2025
The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered an immediate suspension of all land allocations, reclamation activities, and extensions into the Lagos lagoon shoreline — including high-profile areas such as Banana Island.
This directive forms part of comprehensive urban reform efforts initiated by the government to restore order, curb illegal development, and prevent further environmental degradation along Nigeria’s coastal zones.
According to sources within the Presidency, the move follows a direct instruction from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who tasked the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development with streamlining shoreline development and ensuring strict adherence to approved urban master plans.
In response, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Inter-Ministerial Committee (JTMC). The committee will review, harmonise, and document all existing and ongoing developments along the affected shoreline zones. It is also tasked with eliminating unauthorized extensions and aligning all activities with the Federal Government’s vision for sustainable urban development.
A statement from the minister, issued in Abuja, instructed that all existing Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) already approved by the ministry must be submitted to the Federal Controller of Housing in Lagos for verification and official record-keeping.
Furthermore, the statement emphasized that ongoing applications or physical attempts to extend plots into the lagoon — particularly on Banana Island — must cease immediately.
The government clarified that the aim of this intervention is to preserve the original design and layout of prime waterfront locations and promote environmentally sustainable practices in urban planning.
The development has sparked attention across the real estate and environmental sectors, with observers praising the move as a critical step toward responsible shoreline management.
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