Lagos Sounds Alarm Over Lagos Lagoon Crisis Ahead of Waterfront Summit
Lagos Sounds Alarm Over Lagos Lagoon Crisis Ahead of Waterfront Summit
By Daniji Emmanuel
At Apakin, a small community near Lekki, residents watch with dread as the lagoon swallows chunks of land each year. Wooden shacks stand precariously, some already half claimed by the tide. Fishermen say their nets return lighter than before, while families complain that what used to be a safe shoreline has become a place of anxiety. The Lagos Lagoon, once a symbol of abundance and trade, is fast turning into a story of loss.
It is against this backdrop that the Lagos State Government has raised fresh alarm over the worsening state of the lagoon, warning that unchecked climate pressures and human activities could trigger an environmental and social catastrophe. At a press briefing on Thursday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, described the situation as urgent and tied it to the upcoming Maiden Lagos State Waterfront Summit scheduled for September 12 at Eko Hotels and Suites.
Bush-Alebiosu explained that the lagoon faces a complex mix of threats. Unregulated sand mining has altered the natural balance, pollution from industrial and domestic waste is poisoning the waters, and climate change is intensifying flooding and erosion. He warned that if current trends continue, Lagos could face displacement of thousands of residents, collapse of livelihoods, and severe public health consequences.
The commissioner said the Waterfront Summit would bring together government agencies, researchers, investors, and international development partners to seek solutions. He emphasised that the state is looking at sustainable shoreline management, climate adaptation measures, and stronger regulations on human activities along the waterfront.
He also disclosed that Lagos is exploring investment in renewable energy and eco-friendly waterfront projects that can protect communities while supporting economic growth.
For residents of Makoko, the challenges are already lived realities. The stilted community has long battled pollution and overcrowding, but rising water levels now pose a fresh threat. Community leaders say many homes are collapsing faster than they can be rebuilt, while young people are abandoning fishing traditions that no longer guarantee survival.
Bush-Alebiosu noted that the summit is not just about environmental talk but also about livelihoods and the future of Lagos as a coastal megacity. He pointed out that over 22 million Lagosians depend directly or indirectly on the lagoon and surrounding waterfronts, making it imperative to act decisively.
Environmental groups have welcomed the summit but warned that implementation is key. Experts insist that without strict enforcement against sand dredging and industrial waste dumping, any long-term plan will remain hollow. They also stress that communities most affected must be central to decision-making, not just passive recipients of policies.
As the state prepares for the Waterfront Summit, Lagos stands at a critical crossroad. The lagoon is both a natural heritage and an economic lifeline, yet it is slipping into crisis. For communities like Apakin and Makoko, the hope is that this alarm will lead to real action before the waters take more than they can afford to lose.
