The newly inaugurated Shoreline Developers Association of Lagos (SDAL) has called for a comprehensive 50 to 100-year master plan for the development of Lagos’ coastline, warning that unchecked shoreline reclamation and rapid real estate expansion could undermine the state’s environmental sustainability and long-term economic potential.
Speaking during the association’s inaugural address in Maryland, Lagos, SDAL President, Lai Omotola, said the dramatic rise in the value of waterfront properties had triggered an influx of investors focused largely on profit, often with little regard for environmental protection or scientific planning.
According to him, shoreline property values in Lagos have surged by 751 per cent over the past five years, while planning permit and title registration fees have increased by about 300 per cent, creating a booming but largely uncoordinated development landscape.
Omotola stressed that shoreline development should extend far beyond indiscriminate sand-filling, describing reclamation as only a fraction of the opportunities available along Lagos’ vast coastal corridor.
He said the state’s coastline holds enormous untapped potential in fisheries, offshore wind energy, coastal rail infrastructure, marina development, renewable energy, high-value port logistics and eco-tourism, insisting that limiting development to land reclamation amounts to an underutilisation of one of Lagos’ greatest natural assets.
“Our vision is to see the beauty of nature complemented by responsible development that improves lifestyles and living conditions. It is time to move from crisis management to long-term strategic planning,” he said.
The SDAL president disclosed that the association would champion self-regulation among developers through science-driven, technology-based and climate-compliant practices capable of protecting fragile coastal ecosystems while encouraging sustainable investment.
He also urged governments, private investors and development partners to jointly finance a long-term master plan for Lagos’ coastline, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the state’s land mass.
Highlighting growing environmental concerns, Omotola warned that Lagos faces increasing threats from rising sea levels, storm surges and land subsidence caused by groundwater extraction, estimated at about 4 millimetres annually.
He stressed that these global climate realities demand urgent investment in comprehensive drainage infrastructure, shoreline management, environmental and social impact assessments, and the deployment of advanced coastal engineering technologies.
The association further called for the preservation of mangrove ecosystems and the protection of Lagos’ islands, arguing that environmental conservation and urban development must progress side by side.
Omotola also urged Lagos State to begin preparing for the expected impact of the $3.3 billion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that the massive infrastructure project would significantly reshape coastal development patterns.
On regulation, he advocated stronger collaboration among federal and state agencies to eliminate overlapping responsibilities in shoreline administration.
He reaffirmed the statutory role of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in regulating coastal waterways and called for increased funding to strengthen its capacity to safeguard Nigeria’s shoreline resources.
According to him, once reclaimed land emerges from water, the Lagos State Government should continue exercising its constitutional responsibilities over physical planning, building approvals and related development permits in accordance with existing laws.
Describing Lagos’ coastline as an “unlocked $1 trillion asset,” Omotola said strategic planning, sustainable investment and environmental stewardship could transform the state’s waterfront into one of Africa’s leading hubs for tourism, commerce and luxury living.
He said the newly formed association would focus on advocacy, responsible development and policies that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, ensuring that future generations inherit a resilient and globally competitive coastline.
