Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on residents and property developers to stop building on wetlands and drainage routes, warning that destroying these natural waterways could worsen flooding across the state.
The governor issued the warning on Saturday at the 20th edition of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation’s Walk for Nature, held at Lagos State University, Ojo, as part of efforts to promote environmental protection and climate awareness.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Gaji Tajudeen, Sanwo-Olu said the state’s geographical location and increasing population made the preservation of wetlands particularly important.
He explained that wetlands, mangroves and lagoons help control excess water and protect communities from flooding and coastal erosion. According to him, filling these areas or erecting structures on them reduces the environment’s ability to manage water naturally.
The governor also outlined measures taken by his administration to address environmental challenges, including restrictions on styrofoam and other single-use plastics, alongside efforts to encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly alternatives.
He further revealed that the state government halted certain reclamation projects affecting wetlands, floodplains and lagoon fronts in September 2025 because the necessary environmental assessments and approvals had not been secured.
Sanwo-Olu maintained that developers must meet environmental and drainage requirements before undertaking construction projects in Lagos.
He said the government was also strengthening drainage systems, restoring mangrove habitats, planting trees and creating parks to improve the state’s resilience to flooding and extreme heat.
The governor appealed to residents to dispose of waste properly rather than blocking drains with refuse. He also urged them to reduce plastic use and support environmental protection initiatives in their communities.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the NCF National Executive Council, Justice R.I.B. Adebiyi, said Lagos faced growing environmental threats from rising sea levels, intense heat, flooding and the loss of wetlands.
She stressed that protecting green spaces and natural waterways should be a priority in the state’s development plans, noting that environmental conservation was directly linked to the safety and wellbeing of residents.
Adebiyi cited the Lekki Conservation Centre as an example of how natural habitats could be maintained within a rapidly expanding urban area. She urged authorities to make climate considerations central to land-use decisions, flood management and urban planning.
The annual event, themed “Inspired for Climate Action”, featured a road walk from the LASU campus to Iyana School Bus Stop along the LASU-Isheri Road, bringing attention to the need for collective action to protect the environment.