The Federal Government has revoked all previously granted development approvals within coastal, highway, and shoreline setback zones across the country.

The directive, which took effect from July 2, 2025, is aimed at halting encroachments, protecting national infrastructure, and curbing environmental degradation in federally controlled corridors.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, the revocation applies to all planning permissions issued for projects sited along federal highways, shorelines, coastal roads, and other national ecological setback areas.

The government said it acted under constitutional authority and existing legal frameworks, including the Federal Highways Act and Lands (Title Vesting) Act.

The directive mandates that all planning approvals issued on or before July 2 must be submitted to the Office of the Surveyor-General for verification. Any such approvals not submitted by September 30, 2025, or those found to be inconsistent with federal standards, will automatically be rendered invalid.

Approvals granted after July 2 are deemed null and void.

In addition, the Federal Government ordered an immediate halt to all ongoing reclamation, sand-filling, and artificial island development activities in shoreline areas, especially in the Lagos Lagoon.

It also warned against further encroachments, emphasizing that only federal authorities have the legal mandate to manage setback zones along national infrastructure corridors.

States and local authorities have been directed not to issue new development approvals in these areas without clearance and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Office of the Surveyor-General.

The move has sparked concern among developers and property owners, particularly in Lagos and other coastal cities, where real estate activities have expanded rapidly into environmentally sensitive and federally designated zones. Legal experts have also weighed in, cautioning that affected stakeholders should be afforded due process, including opportunities for verification and appeal.

While the government insists the policy is aimed at preserving national assets and mitigating flood and erosion risks, property developers warn that the blanket revocation could undermine investor confidence and lead to significant financial losses.