Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, presented the state’s environmental strategies at Harvard, emphasizing the distinct challenges Lagos faces in managing climate change, coastal erosion, and waste in the midst of rapid urban development.
Speaking at Harvard Business School during the panel session titled “Rising Seas, Resilient Communities: Climate Adaptation Strategies in West Africa”, Wahab highlighted that Lagos’ position along the continental shelf, combined with a dense population exceeding 22 million, makes it especially vulnerable to rising sea levels, flash floods, and ecological degradation.
He noted that Lagos has expanded its landmass from 3,577 to 4,050 square kilometres, largely due to the reclamation of wetlands and lagoon areas for housing and commercial development. While acknowledging the necessity of urban growth, he stressed the importance of conducting environmental impact assessments and implementing drainage master plans prior to such projects to avoid long-term environmental disasters.
Wahab detailed the state’s shift from a traditional landfill-dependent waste system to a sustainable, circular model that repurposes waste for energy and economic use. He revealed that Lagos has partnered with a waste management firm in Accra, Ghana, through a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at turning part of the city’s 13,000 metric tonnes of daily waste into compost and recyclable materials.
He added that this collaboration would enable Lagos to shut down the long-operating Olusosun landfill within the next 18 months, calling it a significant achievement in subnational environmental cooperation.
The Commissioner emphasized the state’s enforcement of environmental regulations, particularly in protecting wetlands and mangrove forests. He said Lagos is taking legal action against individuals who destroy these natural flood barriers and is actively educating the public on the dangers of dumping waste into drainage systems.
In discussing climate adaptation efforts, Wahab referenced the loss of coastal communities like Idotun and Okun Ajah due to rising sea levels. He also cited Eko Atlantic City—constructed on the former Bar Beach site—as a key sea defense project now shielding Victoria Island from coastal erosion.
“Climate change is not a distant threat for Lagos; it is an everyday reality,” Wahab said. He explained that prolonged rainfall can cause stormwater backups due to tidal locks, triggering flash floods. In response, the state has invested in resilient infrastructure, crafted a climate adaptation and resilience strategy, and formed regional partnerships across the Gulf of Guinea to bolster coastal defenses. “Our approach is to transform adversity into opportunity,” he concluded.
