Lagos backs Lekki low carbon project in partnership with China to cut emissions, boost clean energy, and drive climate resilience across the state

The Lagos State Government has thrown its weight behind the Lekki low carbon project, pledging full support for its implementation through a new partnership with China under the China-Nigeria Low-Carbon Demonstration initiative known as Nextier.

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Announced during a strategic meeting in Alausa, Ikeja, the collaboration aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental resilience across the state.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, expressed confidence that the Lekki low carbon project would align with Lagos’s long-term climate action goals.

Wahab said the project complements existing frameworks such as the Lagos Climate Adaptation Resilience Action Plan, which was unveiled at the Lagos International Climate Change Summit in 2023.

He noted that the initiative would drive environmental reform by reducing pollution, lowering the climate risk index, and minimising the spread of airborne diseases.

“This partnership is timely and strategic. It fits into our broader commitment to reduce Lagos’s carbon footprint while improving public health and sustainable development,” Wahab stated.

The commissioner also highlighted the project’s potential to increase access to clean energy, create green jobs, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global climate economy.

Speaking on behalf of the federal government, Director of the National Council on Climate Change, Michael Ivenso, noted that the Chinese delegation’s visit was meant to deepen bilateral cooperation and encourage more private sector involvement in low-carbon development.

“Lagos offers an enabling environment. The Lekki low carbon project will not only benefit the environment but also attract local and international investment. The time is right for climate-smart infrastructure,” Ivenso said.

He described the initiative as one that could catalyse large-scale environmental innovation, calling on stakeholders to view the partnership as a blueprint for other Nigerian states.

Wahab reassured the Chinese partners and project developers that Lagos State would provide technical and financial support, as well as access to key environmental data and personnel required to actualise the project.

The Lekki axis—already known for its rapid development and rising population—is expected to serve as a pilot zone for wider low-carbon infrastructure projects across Lagos.

The broader vision includes integrating green transport, waste-to-energy systems, and climate-smart housing.

With this partnership, Lagos aims to be a national model in sustainable urban development and a major contributor to Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Climate Agreement.

Experts say the Lekki low carbon project could drastically reduce emissions in the state’s eastern corridor, improving air quality and offering tangible benefits to surrounding communities.

Wahab called for continued collaboration across sectors, saying: “This is just the beginning. The success of this project will depend on collective effort—from government to business to local communities.”

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The state is expected to release a detailed roadmap in the coming months, outlining timelines, investment projections, and deliverables.