The Lagos State Government has raised fresh alarm over the rapidly worsening state of the Lagos Lagoon, warning that unchecked climate-related pressures and human activities could trigger an environmental and social catastrophe.

At a press briefing on Thursday at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu, said the forthcoming Maiden Lagos State Waterfront Summit, scheduled for September 11 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, would provide a platform to confront the urgent threats facing the state’s lagoon and waterfronts.

Themed “Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos Experience”, the summit will highlight the increasing vulnerability of the lagoon to climate change, coastal erosion, pollution, and illegal dredging, while also exploring sustainable solutions.

Coastal Erosion Displacing Communities

Hon. Alebiosu revealed that coastal erosion driven by rising sea levels and intensified storm surges has already swept away parts of Lagos’ shoreline, including Idotun Village in Ibeju-Lekki, where families have been displaced and livelihoods destroyed.

He noted that Lagos’ situation mirrors similar crises in other parts of West Africa, including Keta Municipality in Ghana.

“Coastal erosion is not just a Lagos problem; it is a regional challenge with global implications,” he said. “Urgent action is needed to safeguard our communities, infrastructure, and economy.”

He added that the state has begun collaborations with the Netherlands, a global leader in coastal and water management, to develop innovative resilience strategies.

Illegal Dredging and Pollution Threats

The Commissioner also decried illegal dredging, revealing that about 10,625 cubic metres of sand are removed daily from the lagoon. Such unregulated activity, he warned, destabilises aquatic ecosystems and endangers waterfront settlements.

To address this, his ministry is conducting a comprehensive bathymetric and hydrographic survey to assess the extent of damage. Areas such as Ibeshe have already been identified as heavily impacted by illegal dredging.

Pollution is another major threat. Alebiosu disclosed that the lagoon now receives more than 10,000 cubic metres of industrial waste daily, containing toxic heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and nickel. He described the lagoon as “one of Africa’s most polluted ecosystems,” urging immediate intervention.

Despite the challenges, Alebiosu said the lagoon still holds enormous economic potential for transportation, fisheries, tourism, and trade if properly managed.

“The Lagos Lagoon is under intense pressure from both human-driven and climate-related factors,” he warned. “Without urgent and coordinated intervention, this vital ecosystem and the communities it supports may be lost forever. The lagoon is not just water; it is our heritage, our economy, and our future.”

The Permanent Secretary supervising the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, also restated the government’s commitment to urgent interventions, particularly in tackling illegal dredging and safeguarding the state’s environment.

With the summit just days away, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders are expected to chart practical steps to salvage, restore, and sustainably manage the Lagos Lagoon in the face of mounting climate change pressures.