Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has issued a warning about the severe risks climate change poses to the state, particularly the threat of submersion from rising sea levels. In a strategic meeting with state officials, he emphasized Lagos’s vulnerability due to its 180-kilometre shoreline and dense population.

Dr. Hamzat compared Lagos to New York City, highlighting the urgent need for climate action to safeguard future generations and address the impacts of global warming. He pointed out that a significant challenge facing Nigeria is poor land management and a lack of coherent physical planning.

He stated, “In Lagos State, due to our geography, population, and size, we are home to 22 million people, occupying only 0.4% of Nigeria’s land mass, yet we account for 10% of the population.” He drew parallels with cities like London and New York, stressing the importance of effective land management. He cautioned that if the judiciary and legal professionals do not recognize the threat climate change poses to future generations, it reflects a critical oversight.

Additionally, he mentioned that New York has halted approvals for new high-rise buildings in response to concerns about the city’s sinking due to overdevelopment.