Lagos State Collaborates with African Cities Research Consortium to Tackle Urban Challenges

Alausa, Lagos – The Lagos State Government has announced a strategic partnership with the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) to advance sustainable urban development and resilience initiatives across the metropolis.

The announcement was made during a courtesy visit by the ACRC delegation to Alausa, led by Irene Vance, Head of Programme Delivery and a senior member of the management team at the University of Manchester. The delegation was received by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources.

According to Wahab, the collaboration signifies Lagos’s commitment to tackling its unique environmental and infrastructural challenges through innovation and science-driven policy. “We’ve taken our destiny into our hands,” he stated, highlighting the government’s determination to implement long-term, impactful reforms.

Lagos, despite being the smallest state in Nigeria with a land area of 3,575 km², houses nearly 10% of the nation’s population. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, lagoons, and creeks, the state faces distinct geographical vulnerabilities, including being below sea level. These factors contribute to frequent flooding and rising concerns over climate change — issues Wahab noted the government is addressing head-on.

As part of its urban resilience strategy, the Lagos State Government has:

• Commenced year-round dredging of major drainage channels,
  
• Installed pumping stations in highly flood-prone zones such as Lagos Island,
  
• Initiated a shift from a “collect and dump” waste management system to a circular economy,
  
• Banned styrofoam and single-use plastics across the state,
  
• And removed structures obstructing natural wetlands.
  

“These are tough but necessary decisions,” Wahab emphasized, stressing that the safety and sustainability of the over 23 million residents of Lagos remain paramount.

The partnership with ACRC places Lagos among five African cities chosen for focused interventions and research into urban transformation. The collaboration will provide support through data-driven approaches, policy research, and implementation support, particularly in areas such as climate adaptation, infrastructure, housing, and waste management.

Wahab expressed gratitude for the selection, stating that the partnership reinforces Lagos’s status as a leader in urban innovation in Africa. “Together, we’ll build resilience for all Lagosians,” he affirmed.

The visit underscores the growing role of international collaboration in addressing Africa’s urbanization challenges, particularly in megacities like Lagos that must balance rapid population growth with environmental realities.