Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for increased access to affordable, long-term financing to help states and regions implement climate action projects at scale.
Sanwo-Olu made the call on Wednesday at the United Nations High-level Meeting on Climate Action and the Just Transition in New York, where he appeared alongside California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The meeting, held during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, brought together leaders to discuss climate action, the energy transition and the need to scale up practical solutions to the climate crisis.
Lagos-California Partnership
Sanwo-Olu said his appearance alongside Newsom came shortly after the formalisation of the Sister State partnership between Lagos and California, describing their joint presence at the UN as an opportunity to demonstrate what subnational cooperation can achieve.
He said, “Coming just days after our Sister State partnership was formalised between Lagos and California, standing together at the UN showed what is possible when Africa’s largest urban economy and America’s largest state economy work together for real progress.”
According to the governor, the partnership provides an opportunity for both regions to collaborate on climate action and economic development.
Climate Action and Lagos Development
Speaking about how Lagos is responding to flooding, rising sea levels and extreme heat affecting its more than 22 million residents, Sanwo-Olu said climate action must remain closely connected to economic development.
“When asked how we are protecting more than 22 million Lagosians from flooding, rising sea levels and extreme heat, my response was that for us in Lagos, climate action and economic development go hand in hand,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of subnational governments in delivering climate solutions.
“States and regions have the power to deliver up to 80% of global climate action. In Lagos, we are turning that responsibility into real opportunity,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Transport, Waste and Green Jobs
The governor pointed to transportation and waste management as areas where Lagos is pursuing climate-related interventions.
“With more than 5.2 million vehicles on our roads, we are moving towards cleaner transport,” he said.
On waste management, Sanwo-Olu said Lagos processes more than 5,000 tonnes of waste daily and is seeking to turn the challenge into economic opportunities.
“We also process more than 5,000 tonnes of waste every day and we are turning that waste into recycling industries, clean energy and jobs,” he said.
Lagos has previously highlighted efforts to convert waste into recyclable materials, compost and other economic opportunities as part of its environmental management strategy.
Sanwo-Olu Seeks Long-Term Climate Financing
Sanwo-Olu stressed that government alone cannot deliver climate projects at the scale required, pointing to financing as a major need for states and regions.
“But governments cannot do this alone. States and regions need access to affordable, long-term financing to turn climate plans into real projects that improve people’s lives,” he said.
The governor added that Lagos is prepared to contribute to global climate action but needs investment that matches the scale of the challenges facing the state.
“Lagos is ready to deliver. We are ready to do our part. Now, we need the global financial community to meet us with the investment needed to match our scale.”
The UN’s 2026 Climate Summit has placed particular emphasis on accelerating climate action, strengthening energy security, advancing climate justice and protecting communities from the impacts of climate change.
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