In a significant move toward coordinated urban planning, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (FMHUD) and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have agreed to harmonize procedures for licensing shoreline developments in Lagos State, Nigeria’s bustling coastal megacity.
At a high-level meeting held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, both institutions committed to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and eliminating regulatory overlaps. The session was led by Hon. Minister Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa and NIWA Managing Director Mr. Bola Oyebamiji.
Highlighting the urgent need for synergy, Arc. Dangiwa stressed that both agencies must operate as “one government” to promote sustainable development, avoid duplication of responsibilities, and create a clear, lawful framework for shoreline development.
“Our operations intersect and are connected. We must act together by ensuring our actions follow a unified regulatory process that respects the law and our institutional roles,” Dangiwa stated.
To operationalize this commitment, a joint technical committee will be established with representatives from FMHUD, NIWA, and other relevant stakeholders. The committee’s mandate includes:
•Defining standard shoreline licensing procedures,
•Clarifying institutional roles,
•Eliminating regulatory overlaps,
•Facilitating data sharing, and
•Recommending sustainable, enforceable development guidelines.
Arc. Dangiwa clarified the jurisdictional mandates of all parties involved:
•FMHUD manages land titles on federal shorelines and national urban policy,
•NIWA regulates inland waterways and water-based infrastructure under the NIWA Act of 2004,
•Lagos State Government oversees urban planning and physical development within its territory, as per the 1999 Constitution.
NIWA boss Mr. Oyebamiji praised the collaborative spirit of the meeting, calling it a “significant step” toward resolving long-standing institutional tensions. He reiterated NIWA’s commitment to safe, lawful, and environmentally responsible shoreline development.
“We look forward to developing a seamless, coordinated framework that serves the interests of the Nigerian people,” Oyebamiji said.
This renewed inter-agency effort supports the delivery of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing sustainable infrastructure, institutional cooperation, and people-centered governance.
