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Lagos State Government has approved the dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels as part of efforts to mitigate flooding risks identified in the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook.
The approval underscores the state government’s renewed focus on improving drainage capacity and strengthening infrastructure to protect lives, property and economic activities against the threat of flooding.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this through his Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, at the opening of the 24th International Civil Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting, tagged This Is Lagos 2026, in Lagos.
The three-day conference, organised by the Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), was themed “Civil Engineering: Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure for Economic Growth.”
Sanwo-Olu said the government was committed to developing resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding environmental challenges, including flooding, while urging civil engineers to ensure that infrastructure projects were properly designed, adequately maintained and built to withstand the conditions they were expected to face.
The governor, who received an award alongside other dignitaries at the event, emphasised the importance of professional expertise and effective maintenance in ensuring the durability and performance of infrastructure.
He said sustainable infrastructure development required more than construction, stressing the need for proper planning, quality execution and regular maintenance.
The 28 additional drainage channels are expected to complement existing flood-control interventions, particularly as the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook highlights potential flooding risks across vulnerable locations.
The initiative also places renewed emphasis on the role of drainage infrastructure in managing stormwater and reducing the impact of heavy rainfall on communities and businesses across Lagos.
President of Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Ali Rabiu, called for a deliberate national strategy to strengthen indigenous capacity in infrastructure development.
Rabiu advocated greater use of locally sourced materials, indigenous expertise, home-grown technologies and domestic manufacturing capacity to reduce dependence on foreign resources and strengthen local participation in major infrastructure projects.
He said building national competence through local content would improve the country’s capacity to deliver sustainable infrastructure while supporting economic growth.
In his keynote address, Bola Mudashiru urged engineers to move beyond a culture focused primarily on construction to one anchored on responsible infrastructure stewardship.
He challenged practitioners to embrace courageous design, integrity in construction, disciplined inspection and maintenance, visionary financing and planning that recognised the realities of climate change.
Mudashiru said infrastructure development must be guided by long-term sustainability and resilience rather than short-term considerations, particularly as climate-related pressures increasingly test the capacity of existing systems.
Also speaking, NICE National Chairman, Tokunbo Ajanaku and delegates at the conference commended the Federal and Lagos State governments for their efforts in infrastructure development.
The conference brought together civil engineers and other stakeholders from across the country to examine strategies for delivering sustainable, durable and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The discussions highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between government and professional bodies to ensure that infrastructure investments translate into lasting benefits for citizens.
