Lagos Shoreline Developers Call for Long-Term Master Plan to Curb Flood Risks

The newly formed Shoreline Developers Association of Lagos (SDAL) was inaugurated in Maryland, Lagos, with its president Lai Omotola urging the creation of a 50‑ to 100‑year master plan for the city’s coastline. He warned that unchecked shoreline reclamation and rapid real‑estate expansion have driven waterfront property values up 751 % in five years, while increasing flood risk from rising sea levels, storm surges and land subsidence.

Omotola stressed that development must go beyond sand‑filling, emphasizing the need for self‑regulation, scientific planning and climate‑compliant practices. He called for protection of government‑designated wetlands, proper environmental and geotechnical assessments before any reclamation, and joint financing of comprehensive drainage and shoreline management infrastructure. Properly planned projects, such as those on Banana Island, could generate greater economic returns while safeguarding residents and investors from future flooding and financial loss.