Sanwo-Olu, FG Unite on Flood Resilience, Sanitation Drive

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Government and the Federal Government have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen collaboration on flood control, urban water development and sanitation as part of efforts to address the increasing impact of climate change, rapid urbanisation and heavy rainfall on Nigeria’s commercial capital.

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, according to a statement made available to journalists on Friday.

Both leaders agreed that closer cooperation between the Federal and Lagos State governments is critical to tackling recurrent flooding, improving access to sanitation facilities and building resilient communities capable of withstanding the effects of extreme weather.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the visit as timely, saying it would strengthen existing collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Lagos State Government in addressing one of the state’s most pressing environmental challenges.

He said Lagos occupies a unique position because of its geographical characteristics and population density, making flood management a priority that requires sustained investment and collaboration.

According to the governor, Lagos accounts for more than 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population despite occupying less than 0.5 per cent of the country’s landmass, while about one-third of the state’s territory consists of lagoons, creeks, rivers and other natural water bodies.

He noted that the combination of a rapidly growing population, extensive water bodies and increasingly intense rainfall has heightened the risk of flooding across the state.

“Lagos is a small state by landmass, less than 0.5 per cent of the total landmass of the country. One-third of that landmass is also natural bodies of water: lagoons, creeks, rivers and tributaries all around.

“The flip side of that small location is that it has over 10 per cent of the country’s population. In a tiny place that has a huge amount of population and is also surrounded by water, we are now also experiencing heavy rainfall,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu said his administration has continued to invest in drainage infrastructure to ensure stormwater is effectively channelled through canals, rivers and lagoons, thereby reducing the impact of flooding on residents and businesses.

He added that the state government has also implemented a range of climate adaptation measures aimed at strengthening emergency response capacity and ensuring that communities recover quickly whenever flooding occurs.

The governor stressed that building resilience remains central to the state’s long-term development strategy, noting that investments in drainage systems, urban planning and environmental management would continue despite growing climate-related pressures.

Speaking earlier, Prof. Utsev said the Federal Government was committed to working more closely with Lagos in three strategic areas—strengthening flood resilience, accelerating the attainment of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and advancing sustainable reforms in the urban water sector.

He said the increasing threats posed by climate change and rapid urbanisation demand coordinated action by all tiers of government, adding that no single institution can effectively address the challenges alone.

According to the minister, integrated water resources management, improved drainage infrastructure, nature-based solutions, effective urban planning and stronger institutional coordination are essential to reducing the risk of flooding in Lagos and other parts of the country.

Utsev commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for the investments made in flood mitigation and sanitation, assuring the state of the Federal Government’s support in expanding infrastructure and strengthening resilience against future disasters.

He observed that flooding has become a recurring challenge during the rainy season, often leaving major roads submerged, disrupting commercial activities, damaging homes and affecting electricity supply.

The minister attributed the situation to a combination of Lagos’ coastal location, low-lying terrain, rising sea levels, climate change, rapid urbanisation and prolonged heavy rainfall.

While acknowledging improvements in sanitation and hygiene services, Utsev said more efforts were required to expand access to basic sanitation facilities, particularly in underserved communities, to enable Lagos attain Open Defecation Free status.

He expressed optimism that the renewed partnership between the Federal Government and Lagos State would accelerate the implementation of sustainable flood management strategies, improve water and sanitation services and enhance the resilience of communities across the state.

The renewed collaboration comes as governments at all levels continue to intensify measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect lives, property and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of flooding.