Federal Government Suspends Land Allocations on Islands and Lagoons Following Presidential Directive
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
The Federal Government has announced the suspension of all previously approved, pending, and planned applications for land allocations and Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) on islands and lagoons across Nigeria. The directive, aimed at ensuring proper coordination of land use and safeguarding national infrastructure plans, follows a presidential order issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 30 July 2025.
Surveyor-General Confirms Suspension
Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abduganiyu Adegbomehin, issued the announcement in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the suspension was necessary to prevent distortions to the Federal Infrastructural Master Plan in accordance with the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure Policy (NGDI).
“All approved, pending, and intended requests for issuance of Allocations and Certificates of Occupancy on Island and Lagoon Developments are hereby suspended and must be submitted for proper survey coordination to the Presidency, through the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation,” the statement read.
Strict Enforcement Measures
The government further warned that any developments encroaching on rights-of-way or carried out without proper survey coordination would be subject to demolition. Additionally, land approvals granted outside the Presidency or the Office of the Secretary General of the Federation, including backdated or irregular titles issued by other agencies, will be revoked.
Role of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which had previously granted approvals for shoreline and lagoon projects, has been directed to submit all such approvals to the Presidency through OSGOF and to cease issuing new permits. This ensures a centralised and regulated approach to land use on islands and coastal corridors.
Legal and Regulatory Basis
The statement emphasised that under the Survey Coordination Act, Cap S13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, OSGOF is the sole body mandated to regulate, standardise, and harmonise all survey activities nationwide. The latest suspension reinforces this legal framework, ensuring compliance with national policies on geospatial data and land administration.
Background and Previous Warnings
The government’s action builds on earlier concerns about unregulated developments along shorelines and lagoons. In December 2024, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, issued a warning to developers along the Lagos shoreline, giving them a one-month ultimatum to regularise projects or face demolition. This warning laid the groundwork for President Tinubu’s directive in July 2025, suspending all land allocations and reclamation activities on islands, lagoons, and coastal corridors across the country.
Akahi News gathered that the suspension is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to streamline land administration, prevent illegal development, and ensure that all infrastructural projects are aligned with the nation’s master plans for sustainable growth and environmental management.
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