UNGA 81: Tokunbo Wahab Leads Talk On Insuring Lagos Coastlines

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE 

The Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has led a high-level dialogue advancing Africa-Caribbean collaboration on sustainable development and innovative climate-risk financing at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

Wahab was one of the speakers at the Lagos State Governor’s Roundtable on “Insuring Our Coastlines”, where he proffered practical and sustainable solutions for protecting Lagos coastlines, communities and their livelihoods.

The Roundtable, held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in New York City alongside the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81), was organised by the Lagos State Government in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Networks Nigeria and Caribbean.

Held under the theme “Insuring Our Coastlines: Redefining Influence, Accelerating Action”, the event took place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET and brought together government officials, international investors, development finance institutions, and private sector stakeholders.

According to the organisers, the dialogue was designed to focus on strengthening Africa-Caribbean collaboration, addressing coastal flooding and climate-related disruptions, and advancing innovative climate-risk financing to protect vulnerable coastal cities like Lagos.

Speaking at the session, Wahab highlighted Lagos State government’s commitment to climate resilience, noting that as Lagos continues to confront the realities of climate change and coastal risks, there is a need for urgent, practical and bankable solutions.

“Lagos, as Africa’s most populous coastal megacity, remains highly vulnerable to sea-level rise, coastal erosion and flooding, making climate-risk insurance and innovative financing critical to its future,” Wahab stated.

The Commissioner noted that the roundtable was an important opportunity to deepen international partnerships, share experiences and advance innovative approaches to climate-risk financing for the benefit of present and future generations.

The event is part of Lagos State’s broader engagement at UNGA 81 to position the state as a leader in climate action and to attract global investment into resilient infrastructure and coastal protection.