Lagos State Government has approved the dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels to reduce the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities following warnings contained in the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook.
The intervention is aimed at improving the flow of stormwater, preventing drainage blockages and protecting homes, businesses and critical infrastructure from flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed the approval through his Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, at the opening of the 24th International Civil Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting 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 additional drainage channels would complement existing flood-control measures as the state intensified efforts to address environmental challenges and strengthen infrastructure resilience.
He stressed that the government remained committed to protecting lives, property and economic activities through sustainable infrastructure development and regular maintenance of critical facilities.
The governor urged civil engineers to prioritise proper design, quality construction and effective maintenance, warning that infrastructure projects could not deliver lasting benefits without adequate consideration for environmental conditions and long-term performance.
He maintained that sustainable infrastructure development went beyond constructing new facilities to ensuring that existing ones remained functional, safe and capable of withstanding increasing environmental pressures.
Sanwo-Olu, who received an award alongside other dignitaries at the event, emphasised the importance of professional expertise in delivering durable infrastructure that could support economic growth and improve the quality of life of residents.
The approval of the 28 additional drainage channels follows the identification of potential flooding risks in the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook, reinforcing the need for sustained investment in drainage maintenance and stormwater management across the state.
President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Ali Rabiu, meanwhile, called for a deliberate national strategy to strengthen indigenous participation in infrastructure development and reduce dependence on foreign expertise and materials.
Rabiu advocated greater use of locally sourced construction materials, indigenous engineering expertise, home-grown technologies and domestic manufacturing capacity to improve Nigeria’s ability to execute major infrastructure projects.
He said strengthening local content would not only reduce reliance on imported resources but also stimulate economic growth, create opportunities for Nigerian professionals and enhance the country’s capacity to deliver sustainable infrastructure.
In his keynote address, Bola Mudashiru challenged engineers to move beyond a construction-focused approach to infrastructure development and embrace a culture of responsible stewardship.
He urged practitioners to demonstrate courage in design, integrity in construction, discipline in inspection and maintenance, and foresight in financing and planning.
Mudashiru said infrastructure investments must be guided by long-term sustainability and resilience rather than short-term considerations, particularly as climate change continued to place increasing pressure on existing facilities.
He maintained that proper maintenance and forward-looking planning were essential to preventing infrastructure deterioration and ensuring that public investments delivered lasting benefits.
Also speaking, NICE National Chairman, Tokunbo Ajanaku, and other delegates 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.
Participants emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government and professional bodies to ensure that infrastructure projects were properly designed, executed and maintained to meet the needs of present and future generations.
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