By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has called for stronger partnerships and increased investment to enable subnational governments to deliver climate action and support a just energy transition.
Sanwo-Olu made the call on Wednesday while addressing Heads of State and Government at the United Nations High-level Meeting on Climate Action and the Just Transition at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The meeting, organised by the Office of the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, was held during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and focused on energy transition, climate adaptation and financing.
Sanwo-Olu shared the stage with California Governor Gavin Newsom, less than a week after his visit to Sacramento to mark the California Legislature’s Sister State Resolution with Lagos.
Speaking on Lagos’ response to flooding, rising sea levels and extreme heat, Sanwo-Olu said climate action was central to the state’s development plans, given its population of more than 22 million.
“For Lagos, climate action is about turning ambition into opportunity: protecting our people, strengthening our economy and building a more resilient and prosperous State for generations to come,” he said.
The governor said Lagos was pursuing cleaner and more efficient transportation while seeking to convert the more than 5,000 tonnes of solid waste processed daily into economic value through recycling, circular-economy initiatives and clean energy.
“These are not abstract climate policies. They are decisions that can create jobs, improve services, strengthen resilience and make everyday life better for millions of people,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also called for greater access to affordable, long-term financing to help subnational governments translate climate plans into infrastructure and other projects.
He urged development finance institutions, investors and private-sector organisations to increase climate investment in emerging markets.
“Our message from Lagos is simple: States, Regions and subnational governments are ready to deliver. We have the ambition. We have the responsibility. And increasingly, we have the solutions,” he said.
The governor said stronger partnerships and investment were needed to scale up climate initiatives, adding that “no one can do it alone.”
Sanwo-Olu’s appearance at the meeting formed part of his programme at UNGA 81 and Climate Week NYC, where he also participated in the Global Renewables Summit Leaders’ Dialogue, the Gates Foundation Goalkeepers and the UN Global Compact Africa-Caribbean session.
