Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cautioned residents and property developers against constructing buildings on wetlands and drainage channels, warning that such activities worsen flooding and coastal erosion.
The governor issued the warning on Saturday during the Nigerian Conservation Foundation’s 20th annual Walk for Nature at Lagos State University, Ojo, where participants promoted environmental protection under the theme, “Inspired for Climate Action.”
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos’s coastal location, low-lying landscape and growing population made the preservation of wetlands essential.
He explained that wetlands, mangroves and lagoons help absorb excess water and protect communities from flooding and coastal erosion. Their destruction, he warned, leaves water with fewer natural channels to flow through.
The governor also highlighted the state’s efforts to tackle environmental pollution, including its ban on styrofoam and other single-use plastics, with enforcement measures continuing since July 2025.
He said the government was engaging innovators to develop environmentally friendly alternatives while expanding environmental education in schools and communities.
Sanwo-Olu further disclosed that the state suspended reclamation activities affecting wetlands, floodplains and lagoon fronts in September 2025 where developers had failed to obtain the necessary environmental impact assessments and approvals.
He stressed that all development projects must comply with drainage requirements and environmental regulations before proceeding.
According to the governor, the state is also investing in drainage infrastructure, mangrove restoration, tree planting and public parks to strengthen natural protection against flooding and rising temperatures.
He urged residents to dispose of waste properly, keep drainage channels clear, reduce their use of disposable plastics and avoid encroaching on wetlands. He also encouraged young people to sort their waste, plant trees and promote environmental responsibility within their schools and communities.
The Chairman of the NCF National Executive Council, Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi, said Lagos faced serious climate threats, including rising sea levels, extreme heat, flooding and the loss of wetlands.
She called for nature conservation to be integrated into urban planning, flood control and environmental management, stressing that green spaces and waterways were essential infrastructure for keeping the city habitable.
Adebiyi cited the Lekki Conservation Centre as an example of preserving natural ecosystems within a rapidly developing urban environment. She warned that decisions made today would determine the environmental conditions future generations inherit.
The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Ayodeji Badejo, represented by Senior Deputy Bursar Jerry Jinadu, described the annual walk as an initiative that combines physical fitness, community engagement and environmental awareness.
The event marked two decades of the foundation’s advocacy for nature conservation, with participants encouraged to translate environmental awareness into practical action.
