The Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have renewed their commitment to tackling flooding, improving sanitation, and strengthening the state’s water sector in response to growing climate and environmental challenges.
The commitment was made when the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos House, Marina. The meeting followed recent flooding incidents in Lagos and the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), which identified Lagos among 33 states at high risk of flooding.
Utsev said climate change, rapid urbanisation, rising sea levels, and increasingly intense rainfall had made stronger collaboration between both levels of government necessary. He identified three priority areas for joint action: strengthening flood resilience, accelerating Lagos’ drive to become Open Defecation Free (ODF), and implementing sustainable urban water sector reforms to improve services and attract investment.
The Minister commiserated with the state over recent flood incidents and pledged Federal Government support through integrated water resources management, improved drainage, nature-based solutions, better urban planning, and stronger institutional coordination. He also disclosed that the Federal Government has introduced the National Flood Intelligence Monitoring System and Multi-Hazard Flood Early Warning System to improve flood forecasting, early response, and coordination.
Utsev further revealed that Lagos has expressed interest in joining the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, which could strengthen water and sanitation governance while providing access to performance-based financing. He also urged increased efforts to eliminate open defecation, particularly in underserved communities, and disclosed that the Ministry had completed the first draft of the National Water Compact to support sector reforms, investment mobilisation, and policy coordination.
Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention and acknowledged the increasing impact of climate change on flooding and environmental conditions in Lagos. He stressed that sustained cooperation between the Federal and State Governments was crucial to implementing long-term solutions that protect lives, infrastructure, and economic activities.
The Governor also disclosed that Lagos had developed a comprehensive strategy towards achieving Open Defecation Free status and pledged closer collaboration with the Federal Ministry on sanitation, hygiene, flood management, and sustainable water resources development.
Both governments concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to a cleaner, safer, and more climate-resilient Lagos, with stronger investment in water infrastructure, sanitation, and flood management.