Sanwo-Olu Warns Against Building on Wetlands

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents and property developers to stop building on wetlands and drainage routes, warning that destroying natural waterways could worsen flooding across the state.

The governor gave the warning on Saturday at the 20th edition of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation’s Walk for Nature, held at Lagos State University, Ojo, to promote environmental protection and climate awareness.

Speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos’s geographical location and growing population made wetland preservation particularly important.

He explained that wetlands, mangroves and lagoons help regulate excess water and protect communities from flooding and coastal erosion. Filling these areas or constructing buildings on them, he added, reduces the environment’s natural capacity to manage water.

Lagos strengthens environmental protection measures

Sanwo-Olu outlined measures taken by his administration to address environmental challenges, including restrictions on styrofoam and other single-use plastics, as well as efforts to promote environmentally friendly alternatives.

He also disclosed that the state government halted some reclamation projects affecting wetlands, floodplains and lagoon fronts in September 2025 because the necessary environmental assessments and approvals had not been obtained.

The governor stressed that property developers must comply with environmental regulations and drainage requirements before embarking on construction projects in Lagos.

He said the government was also strengthening drainage systems, restoring mangrove habitats, planting trees and creating parks to improve the state’s resilience to flooding and extreme heat.

Sanwo-Olu urged residents to dispose of waste properly and avoid dumping refuse in drains. He also encouraged them to reduce plastic use and support environmental protection initiatives in their communities.

NCF raises concerns over environmental threats

In her remarks, the Chairman of the NCF National Executive Council, Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi, said Lagos faced growing environmental threats, including rising sea levels, extreme heat, flooding and wetland loss.

She said protecting green spaces and natural waterways should be a priority in the state’s development plans, noting that environmental conservation was directly linked to residents’ safety and wellbeing.

Adebiyi cited the Lekki Conservation Centre as an example of how natural habitats could be preserved within a rapidly expanding urban area.

She urged authorities to make climate considerations central to land-use decisions, flood management and urban planning.

The annual event, themed “Inspired for Climate Action”, featured a road walk from the LASU campus to Iyana School Bus Stop along the LASU-Isheri Road.

The event highlighted the need for collective action to protect the environment and encourage sustainable development across Lagos State.