Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Government has issued a firm call for science-backed solutions to tackle the growing threats of climate change and coastal degradation, declaring that collaboration between policymakers and researchers is no longer optional but a necessity for the survival of Africa's largest coastal megacity. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made the declaration on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, while delivering the keynote address at the 58th Annual Conference of the Science Association of Nigeria, held in Ikeja under the theme "Science, Coastal Cities, Public Health and Social Equity in The Blue Economy" . Wahab urged scientists to provide evidence-based solutions to strengthen resilience in coastal cities, warning that climate change is real and requires collective action by governments, scientists and citizens .
Describing Lagos as a low-lying coastal megacity with a 187-kilometre coastline that is increasingly vulnerable to sea level rise, the commissioner stressed that scientific research must remain the foundation of every decision regarding oceans and coastal environments . "Scientific research enables us to understand changing sea levels, coastal erosion patterns, ocean temperatures, and marine ecosystems. Above all, it provides the evidence necessary for governments to design policies and prepare for future risks," Wahab said . He noted that Lagos is bordered by Ogun State and a 187 km coastline, making it susceptible to diverse environmental challenges, while its low-lying geography and growing population make it highly vulnerable to coastal flooding and sea-level rise .
The commissioner's appeal comes as the state intensifies efforts to combat illegal dredging and coastal degradation across its coastline, with authorities adopting evidence-based approaches to address coastal erosion . The government has engaged a Dutch consultancy firm, CDR International, to conduct studies that would guide future shoreline protection projects, and is currently concluding a pre-feasibility study that will point the state in the right direction . The state has also strengthened surveillance operations against illegal dredging and intensified enforcement on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, while promoting innovative waterfront infrastructure, including the deployment of floating concrete jetties and partnerships on new waterfront estate developments .
Wahab described the blue economy as extending beyond oceans, ports and fisheries to sustainable economic growth through healthy water ecosystems, environmental protection and social inclusion . He warned that polluted waterways and flooding increased the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases, while deteriorating marine ecosystems threaten food security and nutrition, making environmental protection a public health priority . "The time for optional collaboration is over. It is now a necessity," Wahab declared, calling for stronger collaboration among government, scientists and academic institutions to address environmental and public health challenges .
The conference, which brought together scientists from across Nigeria's geopolitical zones, provided a platform for discussing the role of science in addressing challenges affecting coastal communities and promoting sustainable economic development . The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Omobolaji Jaji, described the theme as both timely and highly relevant, noting that as Africa's foremost coastal megacity, Lagos faces the realities of rapid urbanisation, climate change, environmental degradation, pollution, and increasing public health challenges . The President of the Science Association of Nigeria, Professor Adeniyi Ogunjobi, urged governments at all levels to increase investment in science through improved budgetary allocations, research grants and infrastructure for science education from primary to tertiary institutions .
The state government has reaffirmed its commitment to science-based policies in tackling climate change, with officials stressing that decisions on urban planning, infrastructure and ecosystem protection would determine the city's resilience to future climate threats . The conference underscored the importance of practical, science-driven recommendations that would support a cleaner, healthier and more climate-resilient Lagos, as Wahab urged participants to produce actionable recommendations . The call for stronger collaboration between government, academia, researchers and industry reflects a growing recognition that sustainable environmental management requires cooperation across different sectors, and that the future of human survival depends on the ability to build partnerships that promote scientific solutions and informed decision-making .
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