Lagos Raises Alarm As Illegal Dredging Hits 10,625 Cubic Metres Daily
By BENJAMIN OMOIKE, LAGOS, Nigeria
– As Lagos State prepares for its first-ever Waterfront Summit, the government has raised concerns over the alarming scale of illegal dredging and coastal erosion threatening communities and ecosystems across the state.
At a press briefing held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Honourable Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Dayo Bush Alebiosu, revealed that an estimated 10,625 cubic metres of sand are illegally dredged daily from Lagos’ waterways. Alebiosu described the situation as dire, warning that the unregulated extraction is destabilizing the aquatic environment, degrading habitats, and posing severe risks to waterfront settlements. “Unchecked dredging is not only damaging to the environment, it also threatens the livelihoods and safety of our communities,” the Commissioner stated. The upcoming Maiden Lagos State Waterfront Summit, scheduled for Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, is themed “Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos Experience.” The event aims to draw national and international attention to the mounting environmental challenges faced by the state’s waterfronts and to explore sustainable solutions. Communities Already Displaced by ErosionCiting the devastating effects of coastal erosion, Alebiosu disclosed that Idotun Village in Ibeju-Lekki has already been wiped out, displacing families and destroying infrastructure. He noted that Lagos is not alone in this battle, referencing similar challenges in Keta Municipality, Ghana, and emphasizing the need for regional cooperation. “Coastal erosion is a regional problem with global implications. Lagos must act swiftly to protect its communities, infrastructure, and economy,” he said. To address the growing crisis, Lagos State has begun collaborating with the Government of the Netherlands, a global leader in coastal and water management, to develop long-term, innovative mitigation strategies. Mapping the Damage In response to illegal dredging, the Ministry is currently undertaking a comprehensive bathymetric and hydrographic survey to map the extent of dredging activities and identify over-dredged and under-dredged areas. Ibeshe, in particular, has been flagged as one of the worst-hit zones. While highlighting the threats, Alebiosu also spoke of the untapped economic potential of the Lagos lagoon, describing it as a vital resource that, if properly managed, could support transportation, tourism, fisheries, and trade — thereby creating jobs and enhancing livelihoods. “The lagoon is not just a body of water; it is our heritage, our economy, and our future,” he said. Summit to Convene Experts, Chart Sustainable Future The Waterfront Summit will bring together stakeholders, industry professionals, environmentalists, and policymakers to examine the complex pressures on the lagoon and develop a framework for sustainable management. Alebiosu emphasized that the summit represents a critical turning point in the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to waterfront preservation and development. “This summit is a call to action. We are inviting all Lagosians and stakeholders to come together to protect our waterfronts before it’s too late,” he concluded.
