Over the years, the thermal hums of the beach and sounds of waves crashing as music boomed along the Lekki-Epe corridor were a yearly ritual for many Lagos revelers. This year, a significant number of these coastal attractions have been lost to the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway construction. And as the construction clears more beaches, residents and tourists are going to face the loss of a cherished coastal escape, especially during this yuletide period, the first since the project started; report GBENGA SALAU and SULIYAT TELLA.
From bustling beach clubs to serene landscapes, adventurous water sports, skis and surfing, the coastal locations have been integral to Lagos vibrant tourism and leisure industries.
The promise of an alluring sun, sand dunes and surfing experience often brings thousands of visitors to Lagos beaches.
The yuletide period, in particular, is peak time for such activities — The Christmas and New Year holidays represent a time of rest, relaxation, and celebration, drawing large crowds of locals, international tourists, and residents eager to enjoy the season by the beach.
For the youth and families, the festive season is synonymous with beach parties, family getaways, and live performances, activities that depend heavily on the availability and accessibility of coastal venues.
The tourism industry is a powerful engine for economic growth in Lagos, contributing a significant amount to the state’s economy. It accounts for 10 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or N4.1 trillion.
According to the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Lagos is the most visited city in Nigeria, attracting millions of tourists each year.
In 2023, an estimated 2.6 million tourists visited Lagos, with many spending time at the city’s beaches.
However, this is expected to change this December, and in years ahead, as more beaches along the Lekki-Epe corridor are slated for demolition to facilitate the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
The December holidays mark the peak season for tourism in Lagos. During this period, it is estimated that over 300,000 tourists visit the city, many of them frequenting the beaches for relaxation, festivals and events.
Recent restrictions and ongoing developments have cast a shadow over what has traditionally been a popular escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
The Guardian checks reveal the highway will pass through several key locations, including the Lekki-Epe axis, one of Lagos State’s top tourist and recreational areas.
The 753-km coastal highway connecting nine states holds great economic prospects for communities along its route, from improving transport infrastructure to boosting trade along the coast.
The Guardian gathered that the project would stimulate the Lagos-like economic profile further down south.
The construction, it is projected will generate nearly 10,000 jobs, resulting in a 0.015% increase in overall employment. While the estimated number of direct jobs created by the project is around 10,000, this figure does not encompass other indirect and induced employment opportunities that will arise due to the project and the subsequent increase in economic activity facilitated by the road in the future.
Moreover, the highway is designed to unlock the economic potential of previously underserved regions. By enhancing access to markets, the project will empower local communities, enabling them to participate more actively in the national economy.
Agriculture, in particular, stands to benefit significantly, as farmers gain easier access to urban markets, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing profitability.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is designed to connect Lagos to Cross River, passing through the coastal states of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, before terminating in Cross River.
The Minister of Work, David Umahi, while unveiling a redesign, said two spurs will lead to northern states. One of those spurs is a 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry project still under design. The other is a trans-Saharan trade route of up to 461km passing through Enugu, Abakaliki, Ogoja, and Cameroon.
The highway is divided into different sections, the first and second of which are in Lagos. The first begins at Eko Atlantic’s Ahmadu Bello Road (0.0km) and terminates at Ibeju Lekki (47.5km). The second terminates at the Ogun state border with Lagos.
The Lagos construction firm, Hitech, was contracted for the Lagos-Calabar highway at ₦15 trillion or ₦4 billion per km.
The pilot phase of the construction, for which ₦1.06 trillion has already been released, started at the Eko Atlantic City and will terminate at Lekki Deep Seaport.
Eko Atlantic, a project started in 2008, is reclaiming 10 million square meters of ocean land in phases to construct an ultra-modern city shielded by an 8.5 km sea wall.
The project, adjacent to Victoria Island and Lekki, was conceived in 2003 as a solution to the Lagos Bar Beach, which often overflowed its banks and claimed lives and property.
It is a highway of 10 lanes that government sources said would be the first of its kind in Africa.
To make room for this development, large portions of coastal land and beachfront properties are being cleared.
As a result, during this holiday season, there are going to be fewer beaches and beach events compared to previous years, with some already demolished.
For decades, Lagos beaches have served as recreational haven for both residents and tourists.
With the Christmas and New Year celebrations approaching, many residents and visitors are naturally looking forward to spending their holidays at their usual relaxation spots along the Lekki-Epe corridor — home to some of the city’s most popular beaches.
One person who is already feeling this loss is Philip Benjamin. As part of activities to celebrate the Yuletide, he usually spends the Boxing Day, the day after Christmas at the Oniru Beach. It is a tradition he cultivated when he was younger and has continued till date.
This year, however, the tradition would be broken in his home because the beach has been demolished for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Lamenting, Benjamin stated that he and his family will possibly seek for an alternative to what has become a ritual of celebrating the day at the Oniru Beach.
“It is really a huge loss!” he exclaimed. “Beachgoers and other revelers would have limited options, so, it is either they pay or look for alternative to beach experiences, including staying back at home.”
For Benjamin, “even when some of these beaches were still available, fun seekers gaining access to them during festive period did not come easy, let alone when a number of them no longer existed.”
According to him, “gate fees are usually increased during festive periods and I have been wondering what the gate fees would be this year to gain entrance into the few that are still available, especially as more people will gravitate towards them.”
It is not only Oniru Beach that is no longer available for fun seekers this festive period. Beaches such as Good Beach, Sol Beach and Landmark have all gone after they were demolished for the highway project.
“Many more beaches will follow in the days ahead,” lamented Benjamin. “The reality of what has happened on this corridor will dawn from Thursday, December 26, when beaches are often taken over by revelers. Lagosians and other tourists who throng the corridor may find that some of their favourite spots are no longer accessible.”
He added, “many of the beaches that are usually free entry will demand gate fees, while those charging minimal fees would increase their gate fees.”
For some Lagos residents, the closure of their favourite beaches has changed their holiday plans.
Mr. Ajibola Rufus, a resident, expressed his disappointment: “I’m not attending any concerts this year because I prefer beach venues. They’re spacious, open, and well-ventilated, unlike indoor venues that are overcrowded and uncomfortable.”
The entertainment industry will undoubtedly feel the effects of these closures. Beach venues had hosted major events such as the Lekki Sunsplash.
Before Lekki Sunsplash went under, it was without a doubt, the biggest yearly beach concert in Nigeria, if not in Africa. Lekki Sunsplash featured the best of Nigerian musicians including the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Ras Kimono, Kwam 1, Lagbaja Alex Zito, Blacky, Daniel Wilson and others. In fact, in that era, if you were a musician in Nigeria worth the name, and you had not played on Lekki Sunsplash stage, then you were a still not established.
Sol Beach has hosted major events in the past, such as the Lagos Countdown Concert, which featured performances from top artists like Davido, Olamide, Seyi Vibez, and Kizz Daniel.
For regular beachgoers like Mr. Yusuf Adegoke, the loss of Good Beach is particularly significant. “Good Beach was well-organised, with excellent amenities, free use of beach furniture, and plenty of games to enjoy,” he said.
“The remaining beaches don’t offer the same experience. Honestly, I’m not motivated to make plans this December because Good Beach was my go-to spot whenever I visited Lagos,” Adegoke stated.
Another beachgoer, Mojisola Akanbi, stated that as a result of the development beach relaxation in Lagos would be a luxury.
Similarly, John Adebola said that the demolition of some beaches may result in a shift toward more exclusive, private resorts that require a higher entry fee. “The need to secure access in advance, especially during peak periods, could increase the overall cost of leisure activities. Luxury resorts may see an uptick in patronage, but this may also create a divide between those who can afford such experiences and those who cannot.”
He added that normally some of the demolished beaches offered activities such as jet skiing, beach volleyball, and horse riding, among others.
“But with some of the beaches no longer available as a result of demolition, residents and visitors might find fewer options for activities that make their beach visits memorable.
“This could result in a more mundane holiday experience, unless other recreational sites can pick up the slack,” Adebola stated.
Also speaking, Akeem Ogunmola revealed that his secondary school classmates had a get together at one of the demolished beaches last year but this year they could not because the beach is gone.
“Many of us when we were leaving the beach at the end of the get-together had looked forward to having a repeat of another of year meeting at the beach but we were robbed that opportunity. We were forced to make an alternative plan of using a non-beach environment as the cost was far higher than our projected budget.
“Also, out of curiosity, I visited the beach, it location had no tracings of ever been a beach side, the road has taken a part of the beach sand and the waterfront, with no beach water insight. No one would believe that the spot was once a beach area,” Ogunmola stated.
On how the shrinking of beaches along the Lekki-Epe corridor would affect the overall experience of residents and tourists visiting Lagos during the yuletide season, the National Publicity Secretary, Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria, Chimezie Mike Onyeneke, said that the shrinking beaches will negatively impact visitor satisfaction with tourists expecting vibrant coastal experiences may leave dissatisfied. This, he added, could lead to long-term declines in tourism revenue from the state.
Onyeneke stated that the loss of these beaches means fewer options for diverse socioeconomic groups, which could alienate large segments of fun seekers during festive periods.
“The yuletide season is known for its increase on local and international tourists to Lagos’ beaches for relaxation, family gatherings, and recreational activities. Nigerian tour operators, tourism entrepreneurs and entertainers have never failed in putting forward great experiences within these beaches alongside the natural beautiful atmosphere. “
Onyeneke confessed that the disappearance of beaches such as Landmark Beach would result in reduced recreational options.
“Fun seekers will lose access to family-friendly coastal environments that are vital for traditional celebrations and leisure activities. The remaining beaches, parks, or recreational facilities may become overcrowded, leading to diminished visitor experiences. Tourists may skip Lagos in favour of other coastal destinations, affecting the city’s tourism reputation,” Onyeneke chirped.
On his part, Makanjuola Ibrahim Adebusoye, said that there would be limited recreational options for tourists during this period.
As a result, he argued that other recreational facilities will become overcrowded, leading to increased gate fees owing to the high demand for alternative options.
“This issue has a significant impact, particularly during this period when families and friends are looking to spend time at the beach. Currently, the accessible beaches are located far away, which makes the journey stressful for most people. As a result, other recreational spots like lounges, clubs, and bars may become overcrowded.”
As a way forward, Onyeneke suggested establishment of artificial beaches or enhancing existing waterfronts with modern amenities. He also suggested the launching of marketing campaigns to promote alternative attractions like the Lekki Conservation Centre and Epe Fish Market, Takwa Bay, JK Randle Cultural Centre among others as alternative spots to celebrate the yuletide.
Adebusoye advised the government to introduce policies to support and improve other recreational facilities, ensure infrastructure, particularly access roads to them are in good condition including implementing effective crowd management measures to enhance the overall experience.
Note worthy is that Nigeria’s tourism sector according to reports has shown consistent growth, with beach tourism expected to grow by 12 per cent annually over the next five years.
But the closure of several beaches along the Lekki-Epe axis could stall or reverse this growth, diminishing Lagos’s role as a regional tourism hub.
Also, given that December is the busiest period in most of these beaches, the demolition of key beach destinations, it is said, could lead to a 30 to 40 per cent drop in visitor numbers to the Lekki-Epe coastline, which would have ripple effects on tourism-related services, including transport, hospitality, and retail sectors.
A vendor in one of the demolished beaches, Tunmi Samson, said that sales has dropped drastically as there is no more beach to attract residents.
“May be it would have been better if it was only the beach that was cleared. Nearly all the space here has been taken for the road. So, there is little or no space for those who want to un-wine even without the beach experience. Most of those who patronise me are the boys working around and not beachgoers.
“I usually look forward to the weekend and festive period. But since the project started, that is no longer the case,” Samson stated.
Onyeneke stated that with some of the beaches gone, local businesses that rely heavily on beach tourism face significant revenue losses.
He listed some of the local businesses that would suffer to include hotels and restaurants, as there will be a decline in bookings and reduced patronage due to lower tourist footfall. “Businesses near affected beaches may lose their peak-season income, while reduced activity may force layoffs in dependent industries.”
He also said retail and vendors will loss income as there will be limited to non-selling of souvenirs, local crafts, and food around the demolished beaches. He added that tour operators offering packages centered on beach visits may see cancellations or reduced demand.
For Adebusoye, many of these businesses are already shutting down, and they provide employment for a significant number of locals. “With limited job opportunities in the country, it is disheartening to see the destruction of existing jobs without offering any alternatives. This situation will also deter investors, as uncertainty and instability are unattractive for business growth. As the saying goes, “an idle hand is the devil’s workshop.” The loss of jobs will leave many families struggling, drastically reducing employees’ spending power. Furthermore, unemployment often leads to frustration, which can contribute to increased crime in our society.”
Despite these challenges, event planners like those behind Fire and Sand and Gen Z Fest have found ways to adapt by relocating their events to available venues like Wave Beach—though this beach may face demolition in the future too.
In contrast, organisers of Beach O’Clock have opted to host a dinner at a fancy restaurant instead of a beachside.
Speaking on this shift, they explained: “Booking Landmark Beach was easy because they had an app, and tickets were just N2,150 per person. However, Landmark had several restrictions, such as charging extra fees for bringing in your own food or using the beach furniture. Tarkwa Bay, on the other hand, is more affordable and allows guests to bring food and use furniture for free. But transportation is a challenge—getting there requires crossing water, and many people are apprehensive about it.”
As a result, Beach O’Clock decided to pivot and host a dinner instead of a traditional beachside gathering.
