The Lagos State Government has announced plans to work with other South-West states on a regional development strategy aimed at reducing population pressure on Lagos as part of efforts to address climate change, environmental degradation, and rapid urbanization.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to building a climate-resilient future through deliberate policies, strategic partnerships, and sustainable urban planning that protects the environment while accommodating the state’s growing population.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, spoke on Friday at the Lagos Policy Dialogue on Climate Adaptation in the Gulf of Guinea: Building Preferred Futures, held at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja.
At the symposium, climate experts warned that without urgent interventions, including improved planning, nature-based solutions, and stronger community participation, Lagos could face severe environmental challenges by 2050.
Speaking on the theme, Wahab said Lagos had moved beyond policy discussions and was implementing practical climate adaptation measures.
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He recalled that the state unveiled 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 programs with the plan.
“As a state, we have gone beyond talks. Everything we do is now centered on protecting our ecosystem, strengthening climate resilience, and driving adaptation initiatives that will safeguard the future of Lagos,” he said.
Wahab noted that Lagos’ selection as a pilot location for the policy dialogue reflects its leadership role in climate governance and commitment to developing practical solutions to environmental challenges.
“The future of Lagos and the Gulf of Guinea depends on the choices we make today. Climate adaptation is no longer a future aspiration; it is an urgent necessity that requires bold action, colcollaboration,d a shared commitment to protecting our environment for generations to come,” he added.
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