President Bola Tinubu has issued a strong warning to Lagos and other subnational governments, urging them to halt approvals for unauthorised islands and developments that encroach on designated road setbacks and maritime zones.
Okay.ng reports that Tinubu made this declaration on Thursday during the inauguration of the Lekki Deep Seaport Access Road, a critical infrastructure project he initiated while serving as governor of Lagos State.
The president expressed pride in the completion of the road, describing it as a legacy project that will improve logistics efficiency, lower operational costs for port users, and significantly boost economic returns on infrastructural investments.
However, Tinubu expressed deep concern over what he termed “illegal island creation” and unregulated land reclamation activities taking place in parts of the country—particularly Lagos—warning that these practices threaten the integrity of long-term infrastructure planning and undermine national development goals.
“I have directed the Minister of Works, the Surveyor-General of the Federation, and all state governors—this legacy project must be protected,” Tinubu said.
“Let us procure a stable setback for future expansion and infrastructure building to enhance our road architecture.”
The president cautioned that any planning approvals granted by states without collaboration with federal authorities—especially the Federal Ministry of Works and the Surveyor-General of the Federation—would be revoked.
“Please, our dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaborating with the surveyor-general of the federation and ministry of works,” Tinubu added.
“I’m glad the deputy governor of Lagos state is here, taking note—we will revoke all those approvals already given on the setback. No more planning approvals for those unapproved islands being created illegally.”
He emphasized that urban expansion must be aligned with national priorities, noting that unsanctioned development would no longer be tolerated.
The warning comes amid a growing trend of real estate developments and land reclamation efforts in Lagos, many of which have been flagged for violating environmental and planning standards.
