The Lagos State Government has taken a proactive step towards addressing the challenges of climate change by developing a comprehensive Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan. This ambitious plan, outlined by Dr. Folayinka Dania, Chief Resilience Officer for Lagos State, which aims to protect coastal communities, improve waste management, and enhance water supply, among other initiatives.

Dr. Folayinka Dania, Chief Resilience Officer for Lagos State, highlighted the urgent need for climate resilience in the face of rising sea levels, extreme heat, and extreme rainfall. She said the cost of inaction could be as high as $33-39 billion by 2050, almost 12 times the State’s annual budget.

Dr. Folayinka Dania explained that the Lagos State Government has developed the Lagos State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan, which outlines 33 climate adaptation projects aimed at protecting coastal communities, improving waste management, and enhancing water supply, among other initiatives. The estimated cost of these projects is $9 billion.

Dr. Folayinka Dania emphasized the importance of community involvement in climate resilience, stating that individuals have a critical role to play in waste management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The state government has launched education campaigns and initiatives to engage citizens, including school children, in climate action.

Dr. Folayinka Dania noted that the Lagos State Resilience Strategy, released in February 2020, was developed through a collaborative process involving communities, businesses, and civil society organizations. The strategy identifies shocks and stresses facing the state and proposes solutions to address them.

According to Dr. Dania. The Lagos State Government is now updating the strategy to incorporate new opportunities and threats and ensure that Lagos remains resilient in the face of climate change.

She said that the forum provides a platform for stakeholders to share perspectives and contribute to the development of effective climate resilience policies and initiatives.

Olu George, Commissioner for Budget and Planning for Lagos State, has emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty. “For us in Lagos, we’re very proud that we have a resilient office. We have a chief resilience officer who, in my opinion, is doing a lot of good work,” he said.

George highlighted the significance of being prepared and ready to react to unexpected challenges, such as the pandemic. “Having a resilience plan and resilience office is very key to our survival,” he stressed.

The Commissioner also emphasized the importance of adaptability, saying, “The word resilience alone speaks to the fact that you should be adaptable and be able to change.” He praised the Lagos state development plan and the work of the resilience office in continuously assessing and improving the state’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

George also commended the impact of forums like the Lagos Resilience Forum saying, “It’s always good for you to be able to sort of exchange ideas, speak to stakeholders in the industry, and learn.” He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and development, saying, “The ability to continuously check yourself and develop yourself is key.”

Ultimately, George emphasized that the state’s efforts towards resilience are all geared towards improving the lives of Lagosians. “Everything we do as a state, we do for the citizens of Lagos State,” he said.

Dr. Adedoyin Salami, the keynote speaker emphasized the importance of intentionality and resilience in achieving development goals. He commended the Lagos State government for establishing an Office of Resilience, demonstrating intentionality in addressing challenges.

Dr. Salami defined resilience as having two dimensions: avoidance and adaptation. He stressed that prevention is better than cure and that strategies should focus on avoiding shocks and stresses. He praised the Chief Resilience Officer of Lagos, Dr. Folayinka Dania, for sharing data and insights, which he used to illustrate the importance of leveraging appropriate governance and means to empower people to thrive, adapt, and grow sustainably.

Dr. Salami cited a study on 25 cities worldwide, including New York, which showed that residents lost around 39% of their livelihoods due to various stresses. He emphasized that the focus should be on navigating solutions, not just counting losses.

The forum aimed to explore how resilience can drive development change in Lagos State, building on the government’s 30-year development plan and agreement to establish an independent office for its implementation. Dr. Salami’s keynote address set the tone for a thoughtful discussion on leveraging resilience for a better future.

Kate Hughes, CEO of Resilient Water Accelerator, represented by an assistant, emphasized the vital role of resilience in developing sustainable cities, particularly in water management. Speaking at the Resilience Forum, Hughes noted that Lagos, with its massive population and rapid growth, faces significant challenges in building resilience, but also presents opportunities for innovative solutions.

Hughes cited the alignment of the Resilience Forum with the objectives of the Alpha QA, building resilience and sustaining it in city development worldwide, specifically in water management. She highlighted the economic benefits of resilience, citing the potential for Lagos to deliver an economic value of over $500 billion annually if sustainable water management is achieved.

The CEO also stressed the need for private sector investment in water resilience, citing the success of the telecom sector in attracting investment. She encouraged private sector members to consider resilience as a key component of their business activities and make significant investments in building resilience in their states.

Panelists for session 1 include Dr. Ayo Teriba, Mr. Onimole Mobolaji, Mr. Muhammed Okore, Mrs. Feyisayo Alayande, and Dr. Adun Okope. Dr. Teriba discusses two types of shocks in the global economy: cyclical economic crises and imagined shocks.

He references the biblical story of Pharaoh’s dream interpreted by Joseph to explain economic cycles. Joseph’s advice on preparing for future collapse is highlighted as a guide for building resilience in the face of economic shocks.

Michael Bankole, Presenter of panel session 2, highlighted the challenges faced by Lagos due to its population concentration in the city, limited land mass, and vulnerability to change. The city struggles with uneven distribution of prosperity, poverty, and infrastructural deficiencies, particularly in healthcare access. Lagos is highly vulnerable to climate change, with issues like sea level rise, flooding, and high temperatures.

He said, to address these challenges and build resilience, investment in adaptation, nature-based solutions, resilient infrastructure, and resilient communities is crucial. Anticipating risks, mainstreaming resilience and climate change across all government levels, and increasing local government officials’ capacity are essential steps towards creating a resilient city.

Bankole emphasized the importance of adaptation over mitigation for Lagos, focusing on conserving energy, promoting electric and CNG transportation, investing in renewables, smart agriculture, and sustainable building practices. Decarbonizing vehicles, managing waste effectively to reduce methane emissions, and changing lifestyle habits are key components of building a resilient city. The panelists, including Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde, Mr. Arigbagbu Sulaimon, Mrs. Bimbo Oshobe, Mr. Kayode Ashamu, and Dr. Ayo Tella, provided diverse perspectives on the topic and contributed valuable insights to the discussion.