Sanwo-Olu, FG Strengthen Partnership To Tackle Flooding, Improve Sanitation In Lagos

The Lagos State Government and the Federal Government have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration on flood management, urban water development and sanitation as efforts intensify to address the growing impact of climate change and heavy rainfall across the state.

The renewed 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.

Speaking during the visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the engagement with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation presented an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between both levels of government in addressing flooding.

“The Federal Government needed to work closely with Lagos State Government, particularly in the areas of flood resilience, urban development and water management, given the state’s peculiar exposure to flooding,” the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Lagos had continued to invest in drainage infrastructure to ensure stormwater was properly channelled through canals, rivers and lagoons.

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He noted that Lagos accounts for more than 10 per cent of Nigeria’s population despite occupying less than 0.5 per cent of the country’s total landmass, while about one-third of the state is covered by natural bodies of water, adding that the state’s low-lying terrain and proximity to the sea further increase its vulnerability to flooding.

The governor also said the state government had over the years introduced interventions designed to improve its response to flooding and other climate-related emergencies.

“Our strategy is to build resilience capable of absorbing the impact of extreme weather events and restoring normal life as quickly as possible whenever flooding occurs,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Earlier, Prof. Utsev said the visit was aimed at deepening collaboration with the Lagos State Government in three priority areas: strengthening flood resilience, accelerating the achievement of Open Defecation Free status and advancing sustainable urban water sector reforms.

“The Federal Government recognised the increasing risks posed by rapid urbanisation and climate change, stressing that addressing the challenges required sustained investment and closer coordination between federal and state authorities,” the minister said.

He identified integrated water resources management, improved drainage infrastructure, nature-based solutions, effective urban planning and stronger institutional coordination as key measures for tackling the growing threat of flooding.

Utsev commended the Sanwo-Olu administration for its interventions, assuring the state of the Federal Government’s readiness to support efforts aimed at strengthening flood resilience and protecting vulnerable communities.

He also praised the Lagos State Government’s efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene services but stressed “the need for more urgent action in areas where access to basic sanitation facilities remained inadequate.”

The minister expressed confidence that the renewed partnership between both governments would help develop sustainable solutions to flooding, improve water and sanitation services, and strengthen the resilience of communities across Lagos.