Lagos could be submerged by rising water — Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Hamzat

Lagos State may face the risk of being submerged by rising sea levels if urgent measures are not taken, according to Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of the state.

Hamzat made this statement at the opening of a Strategic Stakeholders Meeting held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

He expressed concerns about the city’s vulnerability due to its geography, population density, and proximity to water.

“Lagos State, because of our geography, because of our population, because of our size—we are 22 million; we occupy only 0.4% or less than 0.38% of the landmass of Nigeria, and we are responsible for 10% of the people—so there is a mismatch, and we have a 180-kilometer shoreline, so we are surrounded by water,” Hamzat said.

The Deputy Governor also cited the United Kingdom and New York City as places where people are already moving away to safer areas because of climate change, noting, “Today, Lagos, New York City, they are sinking.”

He stressed that Lagos is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns.