To promote environmental sustainability, especially the ocean, Lagos State is set to host the 2025 edition of its International Climate Change Summit (LICCS), with a strong focus and commitment on unlocking sustainable financing and innovation to strengthen coastal resilience and blue economy within the African continent.
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, recently expressed the state’s commitment to sustainable funding at a press conference held in Lagos ahead of the summit scheduled for November 6-7, 2025.
According to the Commissioner, the summit, themed: “Blue Economy, Green Money: Financing Africa’s Coastal Resilience and Ocean Innovation”, will provide a strategic platform for governments, investors and global development partners to develop actionable solutions to climate-related challenges.
According to him, the topic is timely as the coastal megacity Lagos faces increasing threats from flooding, coastal erosion and rising sea levels.
“We are determined to transform those challenges into opportunities for economic growth and environmental sustainability,” Wahab assured in a media briefing.
“The summit symbolizes our belief that vulnerability can be transformed into vision, and that Lagos' coastal challenges can become a source of economic and ecological strength”.
Meanwhile, the 2025 edition is expected to attract more than 1,200 delegates from across Africa and beyond, including global CEOs, financiers, researchers and young innovators, all focused on mobilizing resources for Africa's climate resilience.
According to him, the summit will highlight four key areas: blue economy, green finance, innovation and youth empowerment, and partnerships.
He said these areas are intended to create long-term change for Lagos and other African coastal cities.
Wahab described the event as an opportunity to position Lagos as Africa's climate leadership center ahead of the COP30 global climate conference.
“Our goal is to make Lagos the climate capital of Africa, a city that not only embraces change but also leads it,” he said.
The summit is supported by partners such as Eco Atlantic, NIMASA, International Finance Corporation (IFC), African Development Bank (AfDB), and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) who are supporting the State in pursuing sustainable development.
Wahab called on the media, private sector and the global community to actively engage in the summit, which, he said, will serve as a launchpad for innovative financing models for Africa's climate resilience.
He said, “Through this summit, Lagos is sending a clear message: Africa is not waiting to be saved; we are ready to lead.”
Earlier, Joanna Fabicun, Head of Corporate Communications, Eko Atlantic City, underlined the city's contribution to coastal conservation and environmental sustainability.
He described the city as a model for resilience against climate-induced erosion in Lagos.
Fabikun, who explained how the city was reclaimed, said the Eko project was born out of the need to tackle severe coastal erosion that had threatened Victoria Island and parts of Lagos for decades.
On his part, Michael Bankole, technical head of the summit, said the first day will feature various technical sessions and high-level panel discussions with international participation.
“The two-day event will see stakeholders share insights on climate financing, economic resilience and sustainable development,” Bankole said.
“Discussions will also focus on how to catalyze market-driven climate solutions, strengthen economic systems and influence policy direction consistent with the federal government’s climate adaptation agenda”.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has shown commitment to addressing climate-related economic issues and the summit will complement such efforts by producing actionable strategies for implementation at the subnational level.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobreola, assured the ministry that the agency is ready to partner with it in hosting the event.
Moberola, who was represented by Tuti Hebron, Deputy Director of NIMASA's Deep Blue Project, said the summit would provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to harness the huge potential of the blue economy.
He said the summit platform will serve as an eye-opener to the world as to what Lagos can offer in areas such as coastal tourism, fishing, marine resource development, wealth and employment generation among other opportunities.
