In a detailed briefing on the future of Lagos’s coastline, Mr. Dayo Alebiosu, the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, has laid out a clear, principle-driven framework for transforming the state’s vast aquatic frontiers. He firmly positions technical governance, long-term planning, and strict legal adherence as the non-negotiable pillars of this ambitious agenda, explicitly distancing it from the short-term political calculations that often dominate public projects.
By Aderonke Ojediran
Lagos, Jan. 2, 2026
Commissioner Alebiosu, in an exclusive session with journalists, stated that the state’s waterfront development blueprint is fundamentally “driven by law, vision and effective planning,” not by “political considerations or personal connections.” This declaration underscores a significant shift towards institutionalizing development processes, aiming to ensure sustainability and fairness beyond any single administration.
“Waterfront is a technical space. Our focus is on law, planning, and development. It is not about politics or where anyone comes from,” Alebiosu emphasized. He cautioned strongly against the politicization of professional appointments and policy decisions in this sensitive sector, which involves complex environmental regulations, land use rights, and major infrastructure investments.
From Vision to Reality: The Ilashe Blueprint
To illustrate his point, Alebiosu pointed to the transformation of areas like Ilashe as a tangible model. “If development can happen in Ilashe, it can happen elsewhere,” he asserted, referencing the community that has seen structured development through deliberate planning and investment. He suggested that similar potential exists in areas like Kosofe, indicating a statewide vision rather than a piecemeal approach. The commissioner’s philosophy is rooted in strategic foresight: “The mind is the most fertile ground in the world; whatever you drop there will grow.” This metaphor highlights the administration’s intent to plant seeds of long-term, value-driven projects rather than quick-win political gestures.
Separating Governance from Grandstanding: A New Approach to Aid
Alebiosu drew a sharp distinction between governance and political performance, extending this principle to humanitarian interventions. “I prefer quiet humanitarian interventions to public display,” he stated, questioning the logic of publicizing private assistance. “Why would you come to me privately for help and then I turn around to publicise it?”
This preference has crystallized into a formal, evidence-based approach to state assistance. “We now raise funds collectively, engage directly, and ask for proof that the need is real,” he explained. This system aims to ensure accountability, prevent the misuse of public sympathy for political gain, and direct resources to where they are most genuinely needed.
A Call for Constructive Engagement
While welcoming scrutiny, the Commissioner differentiated between constructive criticism and obstruction. He urged stakeholders to engage based on the technical and legal merits of projects, discouraging “deliberate provocation and destructive criticisms” that derail progress. This call to action is framed within the broader commitment he reaffirmed: the Lagos State Government’s dedication to lawful waterfront development, responsible governance, and interventions driven by intent, accountability, and long-term value.
In essence, Alebiosu’s message reframes Lagos’s relationship with its waterfronts. It is no longer just about prime real estate or political capital, but about a legally sound, vision-led process of creation—a technical endeavor where competence, planning, and the rule of law are the ultimate drivers of sustainable urban transformation.
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
