Lagos State could face severe flooding and even submersion if urgent measures are not taken to combat climate change, according to the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.
He voiced these concerns during a Strategic Stakeholders Meeting held in Ikeja, Lagos.
Dr Hamzat emphasized that the state's geographical position, combined with its dense population and limited land space, makes it particularly vulnerable.
“Lagos State, because of our geography, because of our population, because of our size, we are 22 million, we occupy less than 0.38% of Nigeria's land mass, and we are responsible for 10% of the people,” he stated.
With a 180-kilometre shoreline, Lagos is especially exposed to the threat of rising sea levels.
Dr Hamzat highlighted that the state must adopt better land management and strategic planning to address these risks, drawing parallels to other global cities like London and New York City, where residents are already relocating due to climate impacts.
He also noted that New York City has temporarily halted approval for high-rise buildings due to concerns about the potential sinking caused by the weight of existing structures.
This, he suggested, serves as a cautionary example for Lagos.
Dr Hamzat identified climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme heat as the primary threats facing the state.
He warned that without a shift in priorities over the next 20–25 years, Lagos could be in serious jeopardy.
He urged legal and judicial stakeholders to recognize the urgency of the situation when making decisions on land use and urban planning.
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