The Lagos State Government and the Federal Government have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration on flood management, urban water development and sanitation as Lagos continues to face the growing impact of climate change and heavy rainfall.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos House, Marina, on Thursday.
During the meeting, both leaders acknowledged the increasing threat flooding poses to communities, businesses and livelihoods across the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu welcomed the Federal Government’s engagement, describing the visit as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation on flood resilience, urban development and water management.
He noted that Lagos has consistently invested in drainage infrastructure to ensure stormwater is effectively channelled through canals, rivers and lagoons, stressing that the state’s unique geography makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding.
According to the governor, Lagos occupies less than 0.5 per cent of Nigeria’s landmass but is home to more than 10 per cent of the country’s population, while about one-third of its land area is covered by natural water bodies, including lagoons, rivers and creeks.
He added that the state’s low-lying terrain, proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and increasingly intense rainfall have heightened the risks associated with flooding.
Sanwo-Olu said successive interventions by his administration have focused on building resilience to climate-related disasters, enabling the state to respond quickly and restore normalcy whenever flooding occurs.
Speaking earlier, Prof. Utsev said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration in three priority areas: flood resilience, achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and advancing sustainable urban water sector reforms.
He said rapid urbanisation and climate change have increased flooding risks, making sustained investment and stronger coordination between the federal and state governments essential.
The minister identified integrated water resources management, improved drainage infrastructure, nature-based solutions, effective urban planning and stronger institutional coordination as key measures needed to address the challenge.
Utsev commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for its efforts to improve flood management and sanitation services, while assuring Lagos of the Federal Government’s continued support in protecting vulnerable communities.
He, however, urged the state to intensify efforts toward achieving Open Defecation Free status, particularly in underserved communities where access to basic sanitation facilities remains inadequate.
The minister added that the renewed partnership would help deliver more sustainable solutions to flooding, improve water and sanitation services and strengthen the resilience of communities across Lagos.