By Abdullahi Lukman
The Lagos State government has announced plans to expand the use of groyne technology along its 180km shoreline in a bid to tackle the escalating threat of coastal erosion.
Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Ekundayo Alebiosu, disclosed the plans on Monday, May 19, 2025, during a ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kalto Press Centre, Alausa.
He said the project is part of ongoing efforts to implement sustainable shoreline protection and secure waterfront communities from environmental degradation.
Groyne structures, which interrupt water flow and help retain sediment, are already in use in some parts of the state.
However, Alebiosu noted that scaling up the deployment to cover the entire coastal stretch would cost over ₦3 trillion, underscoring the need for strategic partnerships.
“Though we’ve started using this technology, the scale required is massive.
It’s not something the state can handle alone. We need collaboration with the Federal Government and private sector,” he said.
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Alebiosu, who recently led a state delegation on a working visit to the Netherlands—a global leader in coastal engineering—said Lagos was exploring how to adapt the Dutch model.
This includes integrating groynes with sand nourishment and nature-based solutions for long-term resilience.
The initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader agenda to protect lives and property, while unlocking the economic potential of Lagos’ waterfronts.
“If left unchecked, the damage from erosion could devastate entire communities, harm livelihoods, and threaten public and private infrastructure,” the commissioner warned.
He added that the government is pursuing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to finance and implement the project, while also seeking technical cooperation from international bodies.
In a related development, Alebiosu revealed that a long-standing land dispute involving residents on government schemes had been resolved peacefully.
Over 200 settlers, who had encroached on state land, were spared eviction after a regularisation process allowed them to legalise their occupancy.
“What we have achieved here reflects the governor’s commitment to humane governance,” Alebiosu said. “Rather than demolish, we engaged stakeholders, created legal pathways, and protected both people and property.”
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working with local and international stakeholders to deliver sustainable, climate-resilient solutions to Lagos’ environmental and housing challenges.
