The Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration on flood resilience, sustainable water resources management, urban water sector reforms and sanitation to improve the lives of Nigerians. The renewed partnership was announced during a meeting between the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina, on Thursday.

‎During the courtesy visit, Prof. Utsev conveyed the Federal Government’s sympathy to Lagos over the recent flooding incidents and stressed the importance of closer cooperation between both tiers of government. He described Lagos as a strategic economic hub whose rapid growth makes coordinated action on water resources and sanitation critical.

‎The minister identified three priority areas for collaboration: strengthening flood resilience, accelerating the attainment of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and advancing urban water sector reforms to improve service delivery and attract greater investment. He said these measures are essential to addressing the state’s growing environmental and public health challenges.

‎Utsev noted that flooding remains a major threat in Lagos, especially during the rainy season, affecting homes, businesses, transportation and critical infrastructure. He attributed the recurring incidents to the state’s coastal location, rapid urbanisation, climate change, rising sea levels and increasingly intense rainfall.

‎He disclosed that the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) identified Lagos among the 33 states at high risk of flooding. According to him, the report highlights the need for proactive planning, stronger early warning systems and improved collaboration among government institutions to reduce disaster risks.

The minister also commended Lagos State’s efforts to improve sanitation and expressed support for its participation in the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme. He added that the Federal Government had developed the first draft of the National Water Compact to drive reforms through improved policy coordination, investment mobilisation and sustainable water resources management. He also highlighted the deployment of the National Flood Intelligence Monitoring System and the Multi-Hazard Flood Early Warning System to strengthen flood forecasting and emergency response.

Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu welcomed the minister and appreciated the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting Lagos in tackling flooding and other climate-related challenges. He said the state had developed a comprehensive strategy to achieve Open Defecation Free status and reaffirmed its readiness to work with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to improve sanitation, hygiene, flood management and sustainable water development.

Both governments pledged to sustain their partnership in building a cleaner, healthier and more climate-resilient Lagos while advancing national goals for improved water resources management and sanitation.

Senior officials at the meeting included the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Arc. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, the Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Adedeji Ashiru, and other officials from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Lagos State Government.