The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday called on stakeholders to finance the tides of resilience, turn blue waters into green wealth in order to leave behind not just a livable Lagos, but a thrivable one.
This call was made at the 11th Lagos International Climate Change Summit held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, saying the blue economy is not just an economic concept but a lifeline for the planet.
He said the Wall of Lagos is one of Africa’s most ambitious coastal defense systems which has transformed what could have been an Atlantic wasteland into the thriving Eko Atlantic City, saying it is a living testament to human ingenuity and Lagos’ defiant optimism.
He added that the Eko Atlantic City which was once threatened by erosion now stands as a beacon of renewal.
He said through the Omi Èkó Initiative, government is redefining urban mobility with a low-carbon water transport which is powered by partnerships with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
According to him, As I often say, “Lagos does not wait for the future. Lagos builds its future. And that future must be sustainable, inclusive, and ocean-powered.
He recalled that in October, Lagos became the first African city to join the E1 Electric Boat Series, the world’s premier electric marine competition saying the competition was not just sports but a statement that Africa’s largest city will not only adapt to the future, it will race towards it.
He explained that the government's approach to the climate era is anchored on three interconnected pillars which are Resilience. Innovation. and Financing.
He stressed that the government is building coastal resilience to protect lives and livelihoods, driving ocean innovation to reimagine commerce and mobility and unlocking green as well as blue finance to power both.
He said at the institutional level, the government had set up the Lagos Lagoon Authority to coordinate waterway management, monitor pollution, and enforce environmental compliance saying this is guided by the Polluter Pays Framework, where responsibility and accountability go hand in hand.
He said the government in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Lagos developed the "Climate Investment Opportunities Diagnostic" (CIOD) a practical investment guide aligning climate priorities with financing solutions.
He added that it identifies opportunities across clean energy, sustainable transport, and resilient infrastructure sectors that will define the next decade of Lagos’ growth saying the government knows that public finance alone cannot carry the weight.
"Together, let us make Lagos the beating heart of Africa’s sustainable future — a city that did not drown under the weight of climate change but rose above it to lead the world" he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab noted that this year's summit reflected the ministerial resolve to unlock sustainable financing and pioneer innovative solutions that will safeguard the oceans, strengthen the coasts and unlock prosperity for generations to come.
He said scientific evidence shows that Lagos faces real threats from rising sea levels, extreme flooding, and soaring temperatures saying on daily basis, the state witnesses pollution on waterways, from the careless dumping of liquid and solid waste to the spread of plastic pollution and unregulated dredging.
He stressed that the aforementioned are not distant challenges but are crises happening now as such this is a call to action, to transform the blue waters and vibrant coasts into engines of resilience as well as inclusive growth, ensuring a future that truly leaves no one behind
He added that the government is taking its efforts to the next level by embracing nature-based solutions to tackle erosion and flooding, while also promoting sustainable fisheries and supporting technology startups that champion eco-friendly innovation and job creation.
He said where others see risk, Lagos sees opportunity and with this summit, the state has the chance to redefine the relationship with the ocean, not as a resource to be exploited but as a living system to be nurtured. One that sustains both the people and the planet.
According to him, the blue economy represents more than just water-based industries; it embodies a new frontier for sustainable prosperity.
He said by December 2025, the Ministry in partnership with C40 Climate Global Leadership Group, will commission a biogas facility at the Ikosi Isheri Fruit Market, a project that turns 500 kilograms of fruit waste on daily basis into clean energy.
He emphasized that the green energy will power the markets streetlights, serve as cooking fuel for food vendors, and provide a charging station for traders adding that the by-products of the process, known as digestate, will be put to good use as natural fertilizer for farmers, creating a truly circular and sustainable system.
He said Lagos is ready to lead in the sustainable management of its ocean and coastal resources, ready for investment, ready for innovation and ready to build resilience that benefits all the people.
"As Lagos hosts this Summit, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to lead by example, to remain the beacon of innovation, resilience and sustainable progress in sub-Saharan Africa" he added.
The highpoint of the event featured , the governor launching the latest policy document "Climate Investment Opportunities Diagnostic" with support from his Deputy, members of the diplomatic corps and stakeholders.
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