Lagos recommits to converting its coastal challenges to economic, ecological advantage
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineThe Lagos State Government on Thursday restated its readiness to convert its coastal challenges into economic and ecological strength as it is set to host the 11th International Climate Change Summit.
This is even as the state government also signified its intention to take the lead as the climate capital of Africa and a city that not only adapts to change but leads it across the Continent.
The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, stated this during a media briefing in preparation for the 11th Lagos State International Climate Change Summit held at the Eko Atlantic Corporate office, Victoria Island.
Wahab, according to a statement by the Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, on Thursday, said Lagos State is massively investing in coastal defenses and urban greening.
He added that the State is also investing in flood mitigation, renewable energy, and circular economy models that can serve as templates for other cities across the continent.
According to him, “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.
Highlighting that Lagos is one of the world’s most vibrant coastal megacities, a hub of creativity, commerce as well as culture, Wahab noted that it is also one of the most climate-vulnerable saying rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and flooding are not distant possibilities but daily realities.
He said the creation of Lagos State Parks and Garden (LASPARK) stand 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”
In Lagos, according to him, 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.
The commissioner stressed that the 2025 Summit is not merely an environmental conference but a strategic platform for action where subnational governments, global development institutions, investors, scientists, and innovators come together to design real, bankable climate solutions.
Wahab 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
“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 added that the messages from the summit would be taken to the grassroots, places like Temu (outskirt of Lagos), residents of Okun Aja corridor and other areas that experience the effects of coastal erosion which are the realities of climate change and that it goes beyond building of terrestrial home.
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.
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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.
Wahab charged everyone to build a Lagos that leads with purpose, from the deep blue of our oceans to the bright green of innovation as the briefing would mark the beginning of another defining chapter in Lagos’ journey toward sustainability.
Also speaking, 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 it is high time other states take after Lagos in coastal tourism using the recently just concluded E1 Electric Boat Race as an example stressing that Lagos is 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.