Lagos Sand Rush Reshapes Coastline, Upends Fishermen’s Livelihoods

Thousands of dredgers haul sand from Lagos Lagoon, fueling a construction boom as concrete demand spikes, but the activity narrows channels, destroys fishing grounds, and pushes poor communities like Makoko to seek other work. Sand prices have surged, while fishermen face shrinking catches, higher fuel costs, and longer trips offshore. Regulators struggle with inconsistent enforcement and informal payments blur legality, even as scientists warn dredging destabilizes seabeds, worsens water quality, and reduces Lagos’ natural flood buffers.