Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners to strengthen the state’s resilience against climate change and its impact on coastal communities.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed this while hosting a roundtable discussion involving the Lagos State Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Global Compact Networks and partners from across Africa and the Caribbean.
The governor said the meeting focused on identifying practical measures that could be implemented immediately to protect Lagos’ coastlines and critical infrastructure, while also developing appropriate financing mechanisms ahead of future climate-related disasters.
According to him, Lagos, as a coastal city, cannot afford to treat climate change as a distant concern, noting that its effects are already being experienced through flooding and increasing pressure on roads, homes and businesses.
He said the state was working directly with the private sector to implement measures aimed at building a stronger and more prepared Lagos.
“Government cannot do this alone. We need strong partnerships and practical solutions that will help secure our economic future,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor stressed the importance of putting preventive measures and sustainable financing arrangements in place before the occurrence of major climate events, rather than waiting to respond after disasters have occurred.