By Abbas Nazil
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to collaborate with other South-West states on a regional development strategy aimed at reducing population pressure on Lagos while strengthening climate resilience and promoting sustainable urban development.
The initiative was unveiled during the Lagos Policy Dialogue on Climate Adaptation in the Gulf of Guinea: Building Preferred Futures, held at the headquarters of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in Alausa, Ikeja, where government officials and climate experts stressed the urgency of coordinated action to tackle climate change, rapid urbanisation and environmental degradation.
Speaking at the symposium, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said Lagos had moved beyond discussions on climate action and was already implementing practical adaptation measures to protect its ecosystem and prepare the state for future climate challenges.
He recalled that the state launched its Lagos Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai and has since aligned its environmental and development policies with the objectives of the plan.
According to Wahab, every major government initiative is now guided by the need to strengthen climate resilience, safeguard the environment and ensure sustainable development despite the pressures created by rapid population growth.
He said Lagos was honoured to serve as a pilot location for the climate policy dialogue, describing the selection as recognition of the state’s leadership in climate governance and commitment to developing practical environmental solutions.
The commissioner warned that climate adaptation is no longer an option but an urgent necessity requiring bold leadership, collaboration and sustained commitment from governments, institutions and residents.
Wahab noted that the increasing population and rapid urbanisation of Lagos have placed enormous strain on infrastructure and natural ecosystems, making careful planning essential for the state’s future.
He stressed that development should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability, adding that Lagos must continue to design its growth around the realities of its fragile coastal ecosystem.
The commissioner warned that the state remains highly vulnerable to sea-level rise and other climate-related hazards, noting that indiscriminate land reclamation, wetland destruction and encroachment on mangrove forests continue to increase environmental risks and flood vulnerability.
He said the government has taken difficult but necessary steps by removing illegal structures erected on wetlands and drainage channels to preserve natural infrastructure and minimise flooding.
Wahab also called for strict compliance with physical planning regulations and the protection of approved master plans to ensure orderly and environmentally sustainable urban growth.
He acknowledged the contributions of development partners, research institutions and private sector organisations in supporting climate adaptation initiatives across Lagos and the wider Gulf of Guinea region.
The commissioner urged residents to actively participate in protecting wetlands, mangroves and other critical ecosystems, noting that public involvement remains essential for successful climate adaptation.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, disclosed that Lagos had begun discussions with neighbouring South-West states to promote balanced regional development capable of easing migration and population pressure on the state.
He explained that the establishment of the South-West Development Commission provides an opportunity to coordinate development across the region and spread economic growth beyond Lagos.
Olumide added that the government recognises the need to work with nature rather than against it, warning that increasing pressure to build on wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas threatens the state’s ecological stability.
He said urban regeneration and increased vertical development in suitable locations could help reduce pressure on land while preserving environmentally important areas.
The commissioner also warned residents against embarking on construction projects without obtaining the necessary government approvals, stressing that planning permits are designed to protect both the environment and public safety.
Contributing to the discussion, the Team Lead of the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University, Professor Emmanuel Akyeampong, cautioned that Lagos faces an urgent climate challenge requiring science-based planning and policy interventions.
He warned that scientists fear Lagos could face severe consequences by 2050 if issues such as land subsidence, coastal population pressure and inadequate adaptation measures are not effectively addressed.
Akyeampong advocated hybrid adaptation strategies that combine nature-based solutions with engineering interventions while emphasising that scientific evidence should guide public policy.
He also stressed the need for stronger collaboration among the federal, state and local governments, as well as host communities, adding that residents should be actively consulted and involved in initiatives such as mangrove restoration and ecosystem conservation.
The policy dialogue brought together policymakers, academics, environmental experts, development partners and representatives from countries within the Gulf of Guinea to examine practical strategies for building climate-resilient cities and safeguarding vulnerable coastal communities against the impacts of climate change.
