The Lagos State Government has declared its readiness to convert its coastal challenges into economic and ecological strength.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this ahead of the forthcoming Lagos State International Climate Change Summit, disclosing that the state is massively investing in coastal defenses and urban greening.
Besides, he said that Lagos is prepared to take the lead as the climate capital of Africa.
As one of the ways it’s turning challenges to economic strength, the commissioner revealed that the state is also investing in flood mitigation, renewable energy, and circular economy models that would serve as templates for other cities across the continent.
He said: ‘Through the Lagos International Climate Change Summit, we are sending a clear message to the world: Africa is not waiting to be rescued. We are ready to lead’
He described Lagos as a living testament to human resilience and ingenuity reaffirming Lagos’ unwavering commitment to building a future where the environment, economy, and people thrive together.
Wahab emphasised that Lagos is one of the world’s most vibrant coastal megacities, a hub of creativity, commerce as well as culture.
According to him, the city is also one of the most climate-vulnerable, saying that rising sea levels, coastal erosion and flooding are not distant possibilities but daily realities.
He pointed out that the creation of Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPARK) stood as a testament and offspring of the summit held some years back just as the summit has also given the opportunity to market Lagos Climate Resilience Policy, claiming: ‘Lagos is only state that has the climate policy in the country’
He said:’ In Lagos, everyone believes that vulnerability can be transformed into vision and challenge turned into opportunity, and this explains why the year 2025 Summit is themed ‘Blue Economy, Green Money: Financing Africa’s Coastal Resilience and Ocean Innovation,’ which speaks directly to the mission to convert Lagos’ coastal challenges into economic and ecological strength.
He stressed that the 2025 Summit won’t be merely an environmental conference but a strategic platform for action where sub national governments, global development institutions, investors, scientists, and innovators come together to design real, bankable climate solutions.
The commissioner said the summit would spotlight the blue economy, harnessing oceans and waterways for sustainable growth; Green Finance, mobilizing capital for renewable energy and waste recycling.
He added that it would also spotlight nature-based infrastructure; innovation and youth, empowering the next generation of African climate entrepreneurs as well as well as partnerships, strengthening cross-sector collaboration for long-term transformation.
He explained that the 2025 edition will host more than 1,200 delegates including international agency heads, global CEOs, financiers, youth innovators, and researchers, all united by one mission: to finance the future of resilience in Africa
He added that it is particularly significant that the summit will take place just ahead of COP30, giving Lagos an opportunity to shape the global conversation, translating local action into international impact.
‘This Summit belongs not only to government, but to every organization, every citizen, and every innovator who believes in the promise of a greener and more resilient Africa’ he said.
He said the measuring matrix would be based on different yardsticks which will include communication dissemination, how to input the bankable projects before the world, how to put Lagos and Lagos resilience narrative before the world saying that the state would check after I2 months to see if set goals have been achieved.
He expressed appreciation to all the summit’s partners which include Eko Atlantic for embodying the spirit of sustainable urban development and NIMASA for their continued leadership in maritime safety and the blue economy.
He said the government also recognizes the invaluable support of international collaborators, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and others, whose technical expertise and financial commitment continue to enhance Lagos’ global standing.
He charged everyone to build a Lagos that leads with purpose, from the deep blue of our oceans to the bright green of the innovation as the briefing would mark the beginning of another defining chapter in Lagos’ journey toward sustainability.
The Director General of NIMASA Dr. Dayo Mobereola noted that the agency has already developed a National Policy on Blue Economy, saying the document will address all aspects of issues dealing with claims in blue economy and all legal framework would be included in the policy.
The DG, who spoke through the agency’s Deputy Director, Mr. Tuti Hebron, added that time has come for other states to take after Lagos in coastal tourism, using the recently just concluded E1 Electric Boat Race as an example stressing that Lagos the first state to have such competition in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Development Director of Eko Atlantic City, Mr. Pierre Edde said the Great Wall of Lagos Engineering Coastal Resilience is to protect Victoria Island and Lekki from persistent ocean surge.
He spoke through the Communication Director of Eko Atlantic City, Ms. Joanna Fabikun who added that the aforementioned is also a proof of the ability to withstand the most severe tidal surges forecast over the next 1,000 years as well as saving several trees from Ikoyi which is the transformation of the Peltophorum tree.