Coastal Road Project: FG Marks 1,000 Lagos Homes for Demolition Amid Protests

Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway

Tensions have escalated along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway corridor as no fewer than 1,000 homeowners and business operators in the Igbo Efon community and surrounding areas staged a protest against fresh demolition markings. The Federal Government, acting through the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, has reportedly marked these structures for removal to enforce a 150-metre setback from the high-water mark. This development has triggered widespread concern among investors and residents who claim their properties were developed legally with state-approved titles.

Technical Basis of the Demolition Markings

The recent marking exercise is predicated on a directive requiring a 150-metre setback from the coastline, a move the government maintains is necessary for the technical alignment of the 700 kilometre coastal road. However, the Coalition of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) has formally challenged this requirement. Under the leadership of Mr Tolu Ademiluyi, the group argues that the authorities are misapplying international maritime standards. Specifically, the coalition asserts that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not mandate a 150 metre coastal setback nor provide legal grounds for the retroactive eviction of property owners who acquired land lawfully decades ago.

Economic and Legal Implications for Investors

The affected structures include residential homes, private schools, and commercial enterprises, many of which have existed for over 30 years. Protesters highlighted that their developments were undertaken with valid planning permits from the Lagos State Government and Global Certificates of Occupancy (C of O). The sudden shift in alignment or enforcement of wider setbacks is viewed by the community as a violation of constitutional property rights.

This is not the first instance of friction regarding the ₦15 trillion project. While the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has previously stated that the government seeks to follow the original gazetted Right of Way (RoW) to minimize destruction, residents in the Igbo Efon axis claim the current markings represent an "abrupt diversion." The lack of location-specific scientific justification for the 150-metre requirement remains a primary point of contention for stakeholders.

Government Stance on Compensation and Realignment

The Federal Ministry of Works has consistently maintained that only properties with valid planning approvals will be eligible for compensation. Earlier in the project's lifecycle, the ministry demonstrated some flexibility by rerouting sections of the road such as in the Okun-Ajah community to safeguard submarine cables and cultural heritage sites. However, for the current 1,000 properties marked in the Igbo Efon corridor, the government has yet to announce a formal compensation plan or a decision on potential realignment.

Conclusion

The standoff between the Federal Government and Lagos property owners underscores the complex balance between national infrastructure goals and private property rights. As the Coalition of Project Affected Persons calls for a judicial review and a suspension of enforcement, the outcome will serve as a critical precedent for future infrastructure projects in Nigeria. For investors, the situation highlights the ongoing risks associated with coastal developments and the necessity of harmonised federal and state land policies.