Flooding Crisis: Experts Blame Wetland Encroachment, Demand Tougher Enforcement in Lagos

Rita Enemuru, Reporting

Environmental experts and conservation advocates have blamed the increasing incidence of flooding across Lagos State on the destruction and encroachment of wetlands, calling for stricter enforcement of environmental laws and sustainable urban planning to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

The stakeholders, who spoke in separate interviews on Sunday, May 31, 2026, warned that continued reclamation and development of wetlands were undermining the natural flood-control functions of these ecosystems and exposing communities to greater environmental risks.

Wetlands are transitional ecosystems characterised by land that is permanently or seasonally saturated with water. They play a crucial role in absorbing excess rainfall, filtering pollutants and supporting biodiversity.

The Executive Director of Renevlyn Development Initiative, Mr Philip Jakpor, identified the indiscriminate construction of buildings on wetlands as a major factor worsening flooding in Lagos.

According to him, wetlands act as natural drainage systems that help reduce the impact of heavy rainfall and encroachment on them can worsen flooding.

“The wetlands are supposed to serve as buffers that absorb excess water from the rains. When structures obstruct water from their path, it naturally causes havoc elsewhere.

“This is exactly what we see in many parts of Lagos where estates and other illegal structures are overlooked or permitted by unscrupulous government officials.

“Ultimately, water will find its level, and it may not be very pleasant,” Jakpor said.

Also speaking, environmental advocate and Executive Director of EnviroNews Advocacy & Campaigns for Sustainability (Endvocas), Mr Michael Simire, said decades of rapid urbanisation had significantly altered Lagos’ wetland landscape.

He noted that rising pressure for land development had led to indiscriminate reclamation of wetlands, sand-filling of lagoon shorelines, excessive dredging activities, blockage of natural drainage channels and extensive deforestation.

“This uncontrolled urban expansion has had serious repercussions on the environmental quality of many parts of the metropolis,” he said.

Simire stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders responsible for environmental management.

He urged authorities to promote greater public understanding of the ecological and economic importance of wetlands through education and advocacy programmes.

He also advocated the integration of wetlands into broader development strategies.

“There should be sensitive urban planning policy development, including development frameworks and spatial zonation to protect ecosystem services, especially those of wetlands.

“Wetlands should also be explicitly included as natural infrastructure in urban planning, landscape planning and all aspects of water management, including stormwater management, water resources and water treatment,” he stressed..

The urban planner further recommended compulsory environmental impact assessments for projects affecting wetlands, alongside regular mapping and documentation of wetland areas to strengthen conservation efforts.

On her part, the Biodiversity Pillar Lead at the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr Stella Egbe, maintained that environmental protection and urban development could go hand in hand if sustainability principles were properly incorporated into planning processes.

“The real estate industry is an essential one as we tackle housing deficits, which is an essential need in Lagos.

“However, developmental needs do not have to be in discordance with nature, and incorporating sustainability is important. Real estate planning should incorporate nature into designs.

“This has been successfully done in Nigeria and other parts of the world,” she said.

Egbe urged government agencies to prioritise the protection of designated wetlands across the state and encouraged private sector organisations to support conservation initiatives through their operational policies and corporate social responsibility programmes.

She added that a better understanding of ecosystem services would encourage wider support for wetland preservation efforts.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government said it had stepped up monitoring and enforcement measures against illegal activities in wetland areas.

The Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Adekunle Adeshina, disclosed that developers engaged in unauthorised reclamation and construction on wetlands were being served statutory notices and given 48 hours to halt such activities.

“Where compliance is not achieved, enforcement actions are carried out,” he said.

Adeshina revealed that nine facilities linked to illegal wetland encroachment had recently been sealed in Ogombo, Lekki Phase II, the Itoikin-Epe corridor and Majidun in Ikorodu.

According to him, the action was intended to halt further destruction of environmentally sensitive ecosystems and preserve the critical ecological services provided by wetlands.

The stakeholders agreed that effective enforcement of environmental regulations, increased public awareness, sustainable urban planning and stronger institutional collaboration are essential to safeguarding wetlands and reducing the growing threat of flooding in Lagos State.