Lagos reshapes its coastline through widespread sand dredging

Officials say they have closed unpermitted dredging sites and strengthened monitoring; dredging continues and is reshaping the Lagos lagoon while fishermen report shrinking catches.

Lagos is reshaping parts of its lagoon through extensive sand dredging as the city expands. Both registered firms and numerous informal operators are extracting sand for construction. Residents and fishermen report that dredging has reduced shallow fishing grounds and changed water conditions. State officials have said they are shutting down unpermitted sites and increasing monitoring. Current situation: - Government officials have announced closures of some unpermitted dredging sites and said monitoring has been strengthened. - Dredging activity is widespread and reported to be altering the lagoon: sandy patches, narrowed channels and changed currents have been observed. - Fishermen and community leaders report smaller catches, longer trips or shifts to other work, and describe enforcement as inconsistent. - Peer-reviewed studies cited in reporting found elevated water turbidity, unstable seabeds near dredging zones, and signs that wetlands and shallow areas that buffer floods have been reduced. Summary: The reported increase in dredging has changed lagoon conditions and disrupted fishing livelihoods, while scientists have documented higher turbidity and seabed instability in dredged areas. Officials report enforcement actions, but community leaders describe uneven compliance. Undetermined at this time