Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has issued a stark warning about Lagos’s vulnerability to climate change, citing the city’s exposure to extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels. Addressing a strategic stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, Hamzat urged immediate, coordinated action to protect Nigeria’s largest metropolis from sinking under the weight of environmental pressures.
With its 180-kilometer shoreline, Lagos faces mounting risks from climate change, Hamzat noted, echoing warnings that cities like New York have also grappled with. “If we do nothing, Lagos could face the same fate, with the threat of sinking and submersion looming,” he cautioned. He highlighted global examples such as New York City, where approvals for high-rise buildings have been halted to curb the risk of structural overburdening amid rising sea levels.
Emphasizing the need for a 20 to 25-year plan, Hamzat called for critical measures to identify and preserve vulnerable areas across Lagos, stating that poor land management and ineffective urban planning compound the risks facing Nigeria’s bustling economic heart.
In a parallel discussion, the Attorney General and Lagos Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), underscored the state’s commitment to an efficient justice system, revealing that Lagos currently faces over 6,000 pending cases, with disputes over land and physical planning among the top concerns. Pedro pointed out that these legal cases expose the government to potential liabilities amounting to approximately N114.5 billion.
Pedro stressed the importance of collaboration between government agencies to streamline the justice system, reduce litigation, and enhance governance. He noted that a robust judicial system is essential for enforcing laws that can protect the city against environmental and structural hazards.
The meeting brought together representatives from various ministries and agencies to create a coordinated framework for tackling Lagos’s growing environmental and governance challenges. Hamzat’s message was echoed by keynote speaker Justice Mojisola Olatoregun (retd), who advocated for stronger regulatory oversight and transparency in anti-corruption efforts, especially in sectors like housing and infrastructure that are prone to exploitation.
With Lagos’s challenges mirroring those of other vulnerable coastal cities, the government aims to take preventative measures that address both climate change and systemic inefficiencies to protect its residents and infrastructure from future calamities.
