Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for affordable, long-term financing to enable subnational governments in developing countries to implement climate solutions and build resilience.
Sanwo-Olu made the call on Wednesday, September 23, at the UN High-level Meeting on Climate Action and the Just Transition during the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He said states and regions had the ambition and solutions needed to tackle climate challenges but required stronger partnerships and investment to deliver them at scale.
The governor highlighted Lagos’ vulnerability to flooding, rising sea levels and extreme heat, identifying transportation, waste management, urban resilience and clean energy as key areas for climate action. He noted that more than 5.2 million vehicles operate on Lagos roads and that over 5,000 tonnes of solid waste are processed daily, creating opportunities for cleaner transport and circular-economy initiatives.
Sanwo-Olu urged development finance institutions, investors and the private sector to view climate projects in emerging markets as investment opportunities capable of creating jobs, improving services and strengthening resilience. He also highlighted the growing partnership between Lagos and California on climate action, energy, technology, trade, innovation and investment.
He said climate action should be treated as central to development rather than a separate agenda, stressing that access to affordable finance would be essential to turning climate plans into infrastructure and tangible benefits for communities.
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