Lagos coastline protection prioritised as state tackles climate change

Lagos coastline protection is at the forefront of the state’s climate action strategy, with new resilient infrastructure, drainage upgrades, and waste reforms announced at the UN Ocean Conference

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]agos coastline protection has been reaffirmed as a top priority by the Lagos State Government in response to intensifying climate threats, including sea level rise and extreme weather events.

Also read: Lagos commissioner Tokunbo Wahab leads environmental advocacy ahead of rainy season

Speaking at the ongoing United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasised that Lagos, as a coastal state, must act decisively to safeguard its future.

Representing the state government, Wahab declared a commitment to climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure development.

“Lagos, as a coastal state, faces severe climate risks from rising sea levels, extreme rainfall and excessive heat,” he said. “But we are not sitting back.

We are building resilient infrastructure… we must build resilient infrastructure which is key, and we must also take ownership of those infrastructures, which is very key.”

The commissioner explained that the state had taken proactive measures to reduce flood risks by maintaining its drainage systems throughout the year.

Over the past two years, Lagos constructed 76 kilometres of trapezoidal drainage channels as part of its climate adaptation efforts.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the state is also reforming its waste management systems. According to Wahab, Lagos generates over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily and has shifted away from a linear waste disposal model.

“In the last two years, we have chosen to categorise waste as a resource,” he said. “We have transitioned from a pick-and-dump system to a more sustainable, climate-friendly model where waste is now a resource for wealth and energy.”

Also read: Tokunbo Wahab: A trailblazer transforming Lagos’ environment

The Lagos State Government continues to position itself as a leader in urban resilience across West Africa, demonstrating that climate adaptation and economic innovation can go hand-in-hand.

Oreoluwa Ojelabi

Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.