Oluwafunbi Bello 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria introduces a single national framework for shoreline and coastal development, tightening oversight and eliminating decades of overlapping approvals and regulatory loopholes.
The Federal Government says all shoreline applications must now undergo joint clearance by the Ministry of Housing, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation stated on Friday.
“This reform restores order, transparency, and accountability,” says Badamasi Haiba, Director of Press at the Housing Ministry.
Authorities order an immediate audit of all existing shoreline approvals, including dormant and pending grants. Previous allocations lacking proof of statutory payments stand revoked under presidential directive.
Environmentally sensitive zones such as Banana Island now face strict boundary enforcement, with no extensions permitted beyond jointly approved limits.
To curb delays, the government sets a 14-day deadline for each stage of processing. All approvals now carry expiration dates, with penalties for non-compliance.
“These rules supersede all previous shoreline guidelines,” Haiba confirms, adding that the reforms align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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Korede Abdullah 
