LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State has unveiled its climate adaptation roadmap at Harvard Business School, showcasing strategies to tackle flooding, waste and coastal erosion.
Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, stressed that Lagos must lead in climate resilience. Speaking during the panel “Rising Seas, Resilient Communities: Climate Adaptation Strategies in West Africa,” Wahab warned, “Our land mass has expanded from 3,577 to 4,050 square kilometres, largely through reclamation. While this creates space, it also carries risks.”
He insisted that Environmental Impact Assessments and drainage masterplans are prerequisites for approval. “Indiscriminate reclamation blocks stormwater destroys mangroves and exposes millions,” he said.
Highlighting Lagos’ waste challenge, Wahab disclosed partnerships with Ghanaian firms converting thousands of tonnes of refuse into compost and reusable materials. “We are deliberately shifting to a circular model that sees waste as a resource,” he said.
The commissioner also confirmed Lagos’ collaboration with Ghana and Togo on coastal protection, regional waste systems and advocacy. “Our commitment is clear: protect our environment, prosecute offenders, and build regional partnerships,” Wahab declared, tagging the state’s vision #NewHorizon.
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