The Lagos State Government has announced new plans to regulate beach houses and unapproved developments along the state’s coastal corridor, including Ibeshe, Ilashe, Kare, and Takwa Bay. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this during an unscheduled five-hour inspection tour of the riverine communities on Tuesday.
Sanwo-Olu expressed concern over the haphazard growth of beach houses, many of which encroached on approved setbacks and violated planning regulations. He emphasized that Lagos’ coastline holds immense potential for tourism, leisure, and real estate, but warned that unregulated growth threatens long-term sustainability.
The Governor, joined by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, members of the Executive Council, and traditional leaders, surveyed several illegal structures in Ibeshe, Kare, and Inagbe. He revealed that the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, alongside the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), will conduct a comprehensive enumeration of all violations.
According to Sanwo-Olu, this process will form the basis for a decisive framework for the development of Lagos’ beachfront. He noted that the government would seek to regularize properties where possible, issue titles, and ensure locals are not disadvantaged by new regulations.
While acknowledging the economic opportunities along the corridor, Sanwo-Olu stressed the need to integrate private investments with Lagos’ broader coastal and urban management plans. The lack of proper infrastructure, coupled with disorderly development, has raised concerns about erosion, flooding, and weakened real estate value.
He affirmed that restoring order would allow the government to invest in critical infrastructure upgrades, positioning the corridor as a hub for tourism, recreation, and economic activity. This aligns with Lagos’ vision of sustainable urban expansion across both mainland and coastal communities.
The state’s move comes as the Federal Government has also tightened oversight of shoreline developments nationwide. The Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) recently suspended all land allocations and Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) in coastal areas, directing that they be resubmitted for proper review.
By law, federal authority covers stretches of land along Nigeria’s coastlines, islands, and waterways. Any buildings developed without presidential approval or outside OSGOF authorization now risk demolition, while previously issued titles may be revoked.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been instructed to stop granting new permits and submit past approvals for federal vetting. This development followed concerns raised in December 2024 by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, who warned against unregulated shoreline projects.
