The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to tackling the growing threat of coastal erosion through the expanded deployment of groyne technology, a proven coastal defence system, along the state’s vulnerable 180-kilometre shoreline.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Mr. Ekundayo Alebiosu, disclosed this during a ministerial press briefing held on Monday at the Baguda Kalto Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
Alebiosu, who recently led a high-level delegation on a strategic working visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said the trip aimed to explore international best practices and build partnerships for sustainable coastal management.
According to him, a groyne is a rigid hydraulic structure designed to interrupt water flow and limit the movement of sediment, thereby preventing shoreline erosion and stabilising coastal areas.
“Lagos State has begun implementing groyne technology, but the scale of erosion along our 180km coastline presents a significant financial burden,” the Commissioner said.
“The projected cost of deploying groynes across this stretch exceeds ₦3 trillion, which makes it clear that strategic collaboration is essential.”
He cited the Netherlands as a global leader in coastal engineering, describing it as an ideal model for Lagos to emulate.
“This is not just a Lagos problem; it’s a national environmental and economic challenge. To preserve our shoreline, protect coastal communities, and prevent further erosion, robust partnerships with the Federal Government and the private sector are not only desirable — they are necessary,” Alebiosu said.
He added that the Dutch model, which blends groynes with sand nourishment and nature-based solutions, offers a sustainable framework adaptable to local conditions in Lagos.
To this end, the Lagos State Government is actively pursuing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to fund and implement the large-scale deployment of groynes and other coastal protection infrastructure.
“This initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader agenda to safeguard lives, protect both public and private assets, and unlock the economic potential of Lagos’ waterfronts.
We cannot afford delay. Entire communities are at risk, and the consequences of inaction could be devastating — not just environmentally, but economically,” Alebiosu warned.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners, federal agencies, and private investors to deliver long-term, climate-resilient solutions to preserve Lagos’ coastline.
Peaceful Resolution of Land Dispute
On another front, Alebiosu announced the peaceful resolution of a long-standing land dispute that had threatened the homes and livelihoods of over 200 residents in state government schemes.
The commissioner credited Governor Sanwo-Olu’s “governance with a human face” for the breakthrough, which saw a landmark regularisation process that saved allottees from eviction and property loss.
“Rather than demolish homes and uproot lives, we brought all stakeholders to the table and crafted a lawful path to regularise their occupancy.
Governance must prioritise people — their dignity, their security, and their future,” Alebiosu stated.
The affected Individuals had initially encroached on government land, sparking a prolonged conflict over ownership. However, instead of resorting to mass demolitions, the state adopted an accommodation strategy that allowed the settlers to legalise their land documents and remain lawfully on the property.
“What we have achieved is a model for responsible governance — one that balances law enforcement with empathy,” Alebiosu concluded.