Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says flooding incidents across the state have displaced over 3,000 residents and affected more than 6,000 others between January and October 2025.
He made the disclosure while calling for stronger collaboration to develop flood-resilient systems that protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure from the growing impact of climate change.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, spoke on Monday at the 2025 World Habitat Day celebration in Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Urban Crisis Response: Flooding in Focus,” he acknowledged the unique challenges Lagos faces as a coastal megacity and called for urgent and coordinated action to address them.
“As an aquatic state, flooding remains one of the biggest environmental threats confronting Lagos. It has the capacity to cause widespread damage to lives and property,” he said.
According to him, over 57,000 residents have been affected by flooding this year, with more than 3,000 people displaced and several homes destroyed. He noted that the state government has continued to adopt proactive and integrated strategies to mitigate these impacts.
The governor outlined key areas of the state’s urban development strategy, including sustainable land use planning, development of resilient infrastructure, expansion of affordable housing, promotion of green spaces, and comprehensive climate change adaptation programmes.
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He identified the Lagos State Resilience Office, LASRO, as the central coordinating body driving these initiatives under the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S.+ Agenda.
“Emergency response alone is not enough. Building a truly resilient Lagos requires early warning systems, efficient drainage networks, and strong collaboration with federal agencies, humanitarian organizations, and local communities,” Sanwo-Olu added.
He also urged private investors, development partners, and innovators to support the state’s flood resilience efforts through projects such as mangrove restoration, flood-resistant housing, smart drainage, renewable energy, and urban risk insurance.
Sanwo-Olu cited existing partnerships with organizations like the Dangote Group as examples of productive collaborations helping to advance the state’s flood resilience goals.