Environment
Disaster: Society Urges FG To Prioritise Ecological Challenges Across 36 States
The Nigeria Environmental Society (NES) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise ecological challenges across the country to safeguard lives and property against flood disasters.
Dr Efegbidiki Okobia, National President of the society, made the call in an interview with the Newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
Okobia, who described ecological issues as administrative challenge, was reacting to the burden of ecological challenge in the country and efforts of Ecological Project Office (EPO) in addressing the challenge.
He said the challenge had not received the desired attention from the Federal Government.
He appealed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, to look at all ecological projects currently at his table and forward same to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
“Some of the projects are underground water issues and shore in Lagos, Delta; shore challenges in River State, Akwa-Ibom and all over the country.
“These projects are on his table; we should give them attention. It is time for the SGF to look at the issues. Government should be proactive in addressing ecological challenges.
“It is not political. It is for the betterment of the Nigerian people, and that is all that we deserve at this moment,” he said.
He added “we have a critical challenge as a country with regards to environmental issues.
“While we agree that ecological challenges are mostly common around the South-East, we find that environmental issues regarding ecological pollution, underground water and others, are across the geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
“It is unfortunate that projects on ecological challenges have not been given attention by the government of the day.
“There are funds available for ecological projects and government needs to give environmental issues more attention,” he said.
The president, who acknowledged funds allocated to EPO annually to cushion ecological challenges across board, cautioned that the environment would fight back at the country’s failure to ensure judicious utilisation of such funds.
According to him, once the environment fights back at us, whatever investments we are doing as a people, as a country, will be wasted at the end of the day.
He frowned at the growing pattern of flood incidents across the country leading to loss of lives, properties, health challenges and displaced families.
Okobia, who described the menace as a huge loss to the country, attributed the challenge to poor attention of the Federal Government to ecological challenges.
Okobia, who cited the Lagdo Dam issue from Cameroon specifically, said that the Federal Government and Cameroon reached an agreement in 1970s to construct the dam.
He, however, said “while Cameroon completed the Lagdo Dam project in 1982, Nigeria did not complete the building of Dasin Hausa Dam.
“We have had two scenarios of flood. A major flood incident in 2012 from the Lagdo Dam and in 2022 another major flood.
“We do not know when the next one will happen.
“So, this is just sheer negligence and the government not prioritising issues that have to do with the environment because the flood affected over 30 states and lives were lost, families were displaced.
“So, it is a huge loss to us as a country. We should be able to manage this appropriately.”
The president urged state governments to wake up to the realities of ecological challenges ravaging the country.
The Tide source reports that environmental experts have alerted to worsening environmental degradation in South-South region and urged all tiers of governments to ensure proper utilisation of ecological funds to address the growing crisis.
They attributed the region’s challenges to both natural and human activities.
The Tide source reports that more than N109.5 billion ecological fund was disbursed between July 2023 and December 2025 across the 36 states to mitigate ecological challenges particularly flooding.
Between 2022 and 2023, a total of N39.62 billion was disbursed among 36 states of the federation.
Efforts to reach the management of EPO on how ecological funds allocated to the office are being utilised proved abortive.
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The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced discussions with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to strengthen coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.
This is contained in a statement issued by the corporation.
The corporation said the engagement followed a courtesy and familiarisation visit led by its Managing Director, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, to Julius Berger’s Ijora office.
It said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between both organisations.
The corporation stressed the importance of cordial relationships with neighbouring organisations and strategic stakeholders to promote future collaboration.
The meeting focused on road construction, water pipeline protection, water infrastructure development and sustainable water supply across Lagos Island and its environs.
Both organisations highlighted the need for early communication and technical coordination to prevent conflicts between road projects and existing water infrastructure.
Julius Berger Regional Commercial Manager, Region West, Mr Alexander Bauer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable engineering solutions rather than short-term fixes.
Bauer stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and proper coordination before construction activities begin.
The meeting also examined access to project drawings and technical information required to improve coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.
Julius Berger explained that releasing detailed project drawings remained subject to approval from the appropriate client.
Both organisations therefore agreed on the need to engage the Lagos State Government to secure necessary approvals and strengthen technical collaboration.
The discussions also focused on accurate pipeline information and its importance in planning future water infrastructure and urban development projects.
The LWC delegation raised concerns about uncoordinated borehole drilling and its potential effects on groundwater resources and the ecosystem.
Participants noted that stronger public water supply systems could reduce dependence on individual boreholes and help protect underground water resources.
Construction & Maintenance
They also agreed on the importance of sharing information on construction activities, road conditions, project schedules and potential disruptions.
Security and community considerations were also discussed, with Julius Berger highlighting its engagement with relevant authorities on security infrastructure within the area.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to open communication, stronger technical coordination and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.
The engagement is expected to strengthen synergies between water and road infrastructure planning and support resilient and sustainable infrastructure development across Lagos.
Some Climate Experts across Africa have called for investment in African youth to enhance future security.
They made the call on Wednesday during a webinar organised by Planet, People and Peace Foundation (PPPF), a non-governmental organisation, to observe 2026 International Youth Day (IYD).
According to them, there is a need to invest, listen and create opportunities for young African people.
The Tide source reports that the 2026 theme of the IYD is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’’.
Miss Bisi Kumuyi, the Secretary, Climate Beyond Border Caravan (CBBC), Nigeria, who canvassed for investment in youth, said the future of Africa would be determined by the opportunities the continent created for its young people today.
The CBBC, an initiative of PPPF, is a pan-African, youth-led campaign promoting climate action, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.
‘‘As Africa joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, 2026, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and determination of young Africans who continue to shape the continent’s present and future.
‘‘This year’s theme reminds us that young people across Africa live in different social, economic and cultural circumstances.
‘‘They share common aspirations: access to quality education, decent employment, innovation, peace, inclusion, environmental sustainability and opportunities to fulfil their potential,’’ she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Nouran Farouk, an Egyptian Climate Activist, called for urgent investment in Africa’s youth.
According to her, Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and its youthful population represented one of its greatest assets.
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has unveiled a research report on impacts of climate change on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), calling for its implementation in the country.
The Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, made the call at the public presentation of the report titled: “Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Lagos.
The event brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and other key stakeholder to foster dialogue, collaboration and stronger commitment to disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria.
Unumeri urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and policy commitment toward building climate resilience and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response.
He noted that valuable insights and recommendations from stakeholders at a validation workshop in February had been incorporated into the report.
According to him, effective implementation of the recommendations requires sustained collaboration, strong policy commitment, adequate resource mobilisation and coordinated action across sectors.
“By working together, we can translate these findings into practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response,” he said.
In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the report would be translated into practical interventions to enhance full inclusion of PWDs particularly in climate change policies.
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