The Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Environmental Engineers (NIEE) has raised a critical alarm over the escalating environmental pressures facing Nigeria's commercial capital. The warning was issued during the body's recent conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), which focused on leveraging the blue economy for the state's future.
Turning Blue Waters into Green Wealth
Held recently in Lagos, the AGM was themed 'Blue Economy Driving Lagos State into the Future.' National Chairman of the NIEE, Nureni Ogunyemi, stated that the theme directly addresses Lagos's urgent need to manage its extensive waterways and marine resources responsibly. He described the blue economy as a powerful global engine for sustainable growth, encompassing sectors like marine transport, fisheries, coastal tourism, and renewable energy.
Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of the NIEE Lagos chapter, Azeez Agoro, emphasised the vast untapped opportunities within the blue economy. He noted that while government policies exist, their successful implementation requires robust support from citizens and relevant professional associations.
Lagos's Coastal Challenges and Strategic Initiatives
Femi Idowu-Adegoke, the Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, addressed the gathering. He praised environmental engineers as pivotal figures in transforming Lagos's coastal challenges into viable economic opportunities.
Idowu-Adegoke stressed the critical importance of aligning the state's development goals with sustainable ocean governance. He highlighted several key state initiatives, including:
- Nature-based coastal protection projects.
- The issuance of blue bonds.
- The unveiling of Africa’s first domestic carbon market at the Lagos Climate Change Summit.
These efforts, he said, are positioning Lagos as a continental leader in the mission to 'turn blue waters into green wealth.' However, he issued a stark warning that progress is being severely undermined by persistent threats. These include plastic waste, oil spills, sewage contamination, coastal erosion, illegal fishing, and weaknesses in governance structures.
A Call for Comprehensive Action and Shared Responsibility
The conference served as a platform for a renewed and urgent call to action. Experts unanimously agreed that beating plastic pollution is non-negotiable for building a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Lagos. Environmentalists appealed directly to both citizens and corporate entities to join the intensified fight against all forms of pollution in the state.
To secure a sustainable future, Idowu-Adegoke advocated for a comprehensive Lagos Blue Economy Strategy. This strategy should be anchored on four key pillars:
- Marine Spatial Planning.
- Public-Private Partnerships.
- Blue Finance mechanisms.
- Advanced training for engineers in fields like underwater robotics and ecosystem modelling.
In earlier remarks reported by Legit.ng, Engr. Agoro had underscored the fundamental role of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in ensuring sustainable development. He reiterated that engineering holds the power to address humanity's greatest challenges. The NIEE Lagos chairman concluded that environmental protection is a shared duty among all stakeholders—government, industries, communities, and individuals—and that safety and regulatory compliance must be taken with the utmost seriousness.
