“TERRITORIAL LINES, NOT FOR SALE – TINUBU TO GOVERNORS”
By: IDNN Policy & Federal Affairs Desk
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern directive to state governors, warning them against granting unauthorized planning permits for the construction of man-made islands and waterfront real estate projects across Nigeria.
Speaking during a closed-door meeting with members of the National Council on Land and Urban Development, Tinubu expressed deep concern over what he called the “unregulated conversion of national water bodies into private luxury enclaves,” citing the implications for environmental degradation, displacement, and even national security.
“Nigeria is not for sale, one square metre at a time,” the President reportedly said.
“This reckless expansion must stop.”
THE RISE OF “LUXURY ISLANDS”
In recent years, Nigeria — particularly Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom — has witnessed a surge in private-sector driven land reclamation and coastal development schemes, often marketed as:
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Eco-friendly smart cities
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Private islands
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Mixed-use mega estates on artificial land
However, experts and environmentalists warn these developments endanger marine ecosystems, restrict public access to water routes, and may undermine Nigeria’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) sovereignty.
WHAT TINUBU ORDERED:
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Immediate cessation of new land reclamation approvals by state authorities
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National inter-agency taskforce to review existing coastal permits
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Launch of a Marine Environmental Protection Council (MEPC) by Q4 2025
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Development of a unified National Waterfront Development Policy
NATIONAL SECURITY WARNING
Sources inside the National Security Council say the President’s concern is not only environmental — but geopolitical.
“Some of these islands are funded with offshore shell companies, out of reach of regulators,” a senior intelligence officer told IDNN.
“They pose risks for smuggling, cyber-espionage bases, and illicit logistics.”
Satellite surveillance by the Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) reportedly flagged seven new artificial land sites that violated national border regulations.
IDNN POLICY INSIGHT:
According to IDNN’s land-use policy tracker, over 45 private waterfront developments in Nigeria currently lack full Federal Urban & Regional Planning Commission (FURPC) clearance.
Despite this, some states have granted state-level planning approvals, fueling an ongoing tug-of-war between federal environmental laws and governor-driven urban expansion agendas.
“This is a constitutional collision course,” warned urban policy analyst Dr. Ayo Akinlabi.
“Tinubu is trying to pull the brake — governors are accelerating.”
GOVERNORS YET TO RESPOND
The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has not issued a collective response, though insiders say meetings are being convened to study the constitutional and economic implications of Tinubu’s directive.
The President emphasized that no political relationship would shield violators, adding that the Attorney-General’s Office is preparing a framework for enforcement by the Federal Environmental Management Authority (FEMA).
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