The Federal Government has declared a sweeping crackdown on illegal structures along Nigeria’s shorelines, with the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abudulganiyu Adebomehin, warning that all unapproved constructions will be demolished in line with national laws and global maritime standards.
Adebomehin made the disclosure in Abuja during a courtesy visit by executives of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and the Association of Private Practising Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN).
The announcement, contained in a statement signed by OSGOF’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Henry David, underscores renewed powers vested in the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF), which now operates under the direct supervision of the Presidency.
According to Adebomehin, the demolition order is tied to the enforcement of national urban planning laws as well as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which regulates maritime activities and territorial waters globally.
He stressed that the Federal Government would not tolerate unapproved allocations or encroachments along the country’s fragile coastal zones.
“The enforcement unit will demolish anything within the right of way (ROW). This is an executive order.” Adebomehin stated.
“The Federal Government does not want any unapproved allocation around the shoreline.
“This directive aligns with the Law of the Sea, and compliance will be strictly enforced.”
The Surveyor-General further instructed that all requests for Certificates of Occupancy, permits, and survey plans along Nigeria’s shorelines be suspended pending review by his office.
He also directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to collate and submit all prior shoreline-related approvals granted to individuals and corporate entities.
The relocation of OSGOF to the Presidency signals the administration’s intent to centralise control over shoreline management, amid rising concerns about illegal land allocations and duplications of authority by other ministries and agencies.
Adebomehin warned that any shoreline-related documents submitted to other MDAs must now be redirected to his office, insisting that OSGOF remains the final authority on mapping and land administration within Nigeria’s territorial waters.
Analysts note that this move could help streamline governance, reduce land disputes, and mitigate environmental risks such as flooding, erosion, and coastal degradation, which have been worsened by unchecked construction along waterways.
During the visit, the President of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Folakemi Odunewu, expressed support for OSGOF’s new mandate, while presenting a seven-point agenda to strengthen the surveying profession in Nigeria.
The agenda includes:
Digital transformation of the NIS Secretariat
Stronger public relations and advocacy
Extension of professional engagements to more stakeholders
A push for the amendment of the Survey Coordination Act
Development of new excellence structures for surveyors
Advocacy for the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Surveying and Geoinformatics
Odunewu said the transition of OSGOF to the Presidency was a welcome development, adding that it would strengthen the relevance of surveying to national development.
Experts say the demolition directive could have far-reaching implications for real estate investors, coastal communities, and state governments that have previously allocated land without federal oversight.
Nigeria’s coastline stretches across several states, including Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Cross River, and Ondo, all of which have witnessed rapid urbanisation and rising environmental risks.
Environmentalists warn that unchecked shoreline construction has worsened flooding in coastal areas, displaced communities, and obstructed natural waterways.
The Federal Government’s renewed commitment to regulating shoreline development could help protect lives, restore ecosystems, and preserve Nigeria’s maritime boundaries.
With enforcement looming, property owners and developers with structures along Nigeria’s shorelines are expected to face strict scrutiny.
Authorities say only projects with proper approvals and alignment with environmental laws will be spared.
Adebomehin reaffirmed OSGOF’s determination to “ensure compliance with the law and protect Nigeria’s coastal heritage,” pledging continued collaboration with professional bodies like NIS and APPSN in safeguarding national land resources.
As the Federal Government prepares to enforce demolitions, attention will now shift to how quickly OSGOF can implement its mandate, and how state governments and affected stakeholders will respond to the new wave of shoreline regulation.