Sanwo-Olu warns Lagos residents against building on wetlands

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cautioned residents and developers against constructing on wetlands and drainage channels, warning that their destruction heightens the state's susceptibility to flooding and coastal erosion. Speaking at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation's (NCF) 20th annual Walk for Nature at Makanjuola Hall, LASU, Ojo, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of wetland protection for public safety, highlighting Lagos's coastal location, low-lying terrain, and expanding population.

The governor banned styrofoam and other single-use plastics in July 2025, while ongoing enforcement continues as part of the state's environmental sustainability initiatives. He also disclosed that wetland activities, including reclamation, were suspended in September 2025 if required environmental impact assessments and approvals were not obtained.

Sanwo-Olu pledged investments in drainage infrastructure, mangrove restoration, tree planting, and park development to bolster the state's natural defenses against flooding and rising temperatures. He urged residents to prevent refuse from entering drains, avoid single-use plastics, and refrain from building on wetlands and drainage channels.

The NCF National Executive Council Chairman, Hon. Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi, stressed that nature conservation is vital to Lagos' survival, warning that the destruction of nature weakens the systems that protect communities from climate shocks.