At the 2025 World Habitat Day celebrations in Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged greater cooperation among stakeholders to tackle the city’s growing flood risks, warning that climate change was intensifying urban vulnerabilities.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the governor said this year’s theme, “Urban Crisis Response: Flooding in Focus,” was especially relevant for Lagos, a coastal megacity where seasonal floods threaten lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
Sanwo-Olu highlighted the state’s resilience agenda, coordinated through the Lagos State Resilience Office (LASRO), which focuses on climate adaptation and risk reduction. He appealed to private investors and development partners to complement government efforts in areas such as mangrove restoration, drainage innovation, renewable energy, and flood-risk insurance.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, noted that urban resilience demanded more than building approvals, stressing that planning must include sustainability, enforcement of regulations, and climate-smart infrastructure.
Other speakers, including representatives of town planning associations and youth groups, praised Lagos for prioritising housing delivery, drainage expansion, and environmental sustainability.
The commemoration featured exhibitions, lectures, and youth-led debates showcasing innovative approaches to housing and flood management, reinforcing the call for a more resilient and inclusive Lagos.
