Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Environment

  • Lagos Experts Warn of Erratic Weather and Heatwaves in 2026

    Lagos Experts Warn of Erratic Weather and Heatwaves in 2026

    In an update published by The Punch, environmental scientists and health experts have warned that Nigeria is entering a period of extreme climate unpredictability. Unusual rainfall patterns observed in Lagos and Ogun states during January and early February are being cited as clear indicators that traditional seasonal cycles have been disrupted by global warming.

    Mr. Ahoton James, Director of Environmental Service at the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, noted that the absence of a traditional harmattan season in late 2025 and early 2026 is a significant red flag. The experts predict that the country may face intense heatwaves and unseasonable flooding, which could severely impact food security and public health.

    The changing climate is already affecting agricultural planning, as farmers who rely on predictable rain cycles are finding it difficult to time their planting. This volatility is expected to persist throughout the year, necessitating a shift in national disaster management strategies.

    Validating reports from Vanguard and Daily Trust emphasize these concerns, with Vanguard quoting a meteorologist who said, “We are seeing the 2026 weather calendar being rewritten by carbon footprints,” while Daily Trust noted that “Northern states must prepare for record-breaking temperatures this summer.”

    Echotitbits take: The failure of the harmattan and early rains in the south are not just anomalies; they are economic risks. Expect a spike in cooling costs and potential volatility in food prices if the heatwaves affect the early planting season.

    Source: The Cable – https://www.thecable.ng/heat-like-hell-fire-strange-weather-angry-water-what-nigerians-call-climate-change/, February 8, 2026

    Photo credit: The Cable

  • NiMet Warns of Three-Day Dust Haze and Southern Thunderstorms

    NiMet Warns of Three-Day Dust Haze and Southern Thunderstorms

    NiMet Warns of Three-Day Dust Haze and Southern Thunderstorms

    NiMet forecast haze across the North and central regions from Jan 21–23, while southern states should expect afternoon/evening thunderstorms and light rain.

    Further reporting across multiple outlets indicates the development is drawing heightened attention, with stakeholders watching for next steps from relevant authorities and institutions.

    Echotitbits take: The simultaneous occurrence of dust haze and thunderstorms highlights the intensifying climatic variability in Nigeria. Aviation stakeholders and health officials should brace for a busy 72 hours.

    Source: Arise – https://www.arise.tv/nimet-warns-of-three-days-of-dust-haze-thunderstorms-across-nigeria/ (2026-01-21)

    Photo credit: Arise

    2026-01-21 17:00:00

     

  • Climate Financing in Africa: Experts Advocate Smarter Collaboration Among Funders

    Climate Financing in Africa: Experts Advocate Smarter Collaboration Among Funders

    Experts at the 2020 Global Philanthropy Forum have called for greater collaboration among funders to address the severe threat that climate change poses to Africa’s development.

    The experts, who at a virtual session oranised by the African Development Bank, highlighted the critical role of innovative approaches towards mobilising climate adaptation finance in Africa.

    The session, which was titled: “Inclusive Green Economies – Harnessing Opportunities and Innovative Solutions for Investments in Climate-Resilient Development in Africa,” began with a call for sustainable ways for the continent to emerge stronger from the pandemic.

    The event was moderated by the Senior Associate at the Global Climate Adaptation Partnership, Emily Ojoo-Massawa.

    Speaking at the event, the Manager of Climate and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, Al Hamndou Dorsouma, said: “The path to a sustainable COVID-19 recovery will therefore require investments that simultaneously tackle the pandemic and prevailing climate risks while offering attractive co-benefits.”

    Africa is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, and the economic cost is high: as much as $15 billion in 2020, rising to potentially $50 billion by 2040, which is equivalent to 7% of the continent’s GDP.

    Al Hamdou Doursouma noted that The the bank is on track to mobilise $25 billion between 2020 and 2025 to support investments in climate change.

    In his remarks, the Senior Adaptation and Resilience Specialist, Climate Change Group at the World Bank, Arame Tall, called for the involvement of ministries of finance in outlining adaptation investment opportunities in different countries.

    “The moment for adaptation has come. Interestingly, we have the attention of philanthropy, private sector and non-traditional investors, who want to invest in harnessing new opportunities in climate change adaptation.

    “We need the ministries of finance to be involved in outlining adaptation investment opportunities in countries to better harness these opportunities, including clear investment and sectoral plans,” Tall explained.

    With less than two per cent of philanthropic funding going to combat climate change, funders face a challenge.

    Thus, the experts advocated for more collaboration in smarter ways in order to meet ambitious targets and rally support from all sectors, drawing attention to the unprecedented challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “Collaboration is important to lay a solid foundation to achieve a greener post-COVID future,” said the African Development Bank’s Director for Agricultural Finance and Rural Infrastructure Development, Atsuko Toda.

    She called for a paradigm shift in adaptation financing, noting the bank’s willingness to work with partners to accelerate Africa’s adaptation.

    In October 2018, the bank’s Board of Directors approved a framework for the implementation of the Africa Disaster Risk Financing (ADRiFi) Programme, which offers regional member countries an opportunity to pool and transfer their climate-related risks by paying a sovereign insurance premium.

    “The payout is made immediately after a disaster happens.

    “The bank partners with the African Risk Capacity Insurance Company (ARC) to implement ADRiFi.

    “The COVID-19 crisis has underscored the urgency of building healthier, more inclusive and more resilient economies, the meeting heard,” Toda said.

    Chief Executive Officer of ARC, Lesley Ndlovu, noted the need for countries to plan for exposures and build resilience.

    “At the African Risk Capacity, we work with countries to prepare them for the risk exposure they have and help them prepare for how to respond, including helping them to establish a rainy-day fund. We have also partnered with the African Development Bank for the Africa Disaster Risk Financing initiative and other financing instruments.

    “We need broader collaborations to solve the problem that our continent faces. The problem is so big that all of us have a role to play,” Ndlovu said.

    In 2019, the African Development Bank prioritised adaptation finance, with 55 per cent of its climate-focused financing invested in adaptation actions.

    The bank’s adaptation finance rose from $500 million in 2012 to $2 billion in 2019, cumulatively representing $18.6 billion over this period.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Lagos First Lady Advocates Use of Indigenous Languages to Kick against Indiscriminate Waste Disposal

    Lagos First Lady Advocates Use of Indigenous Languages to Kick against Indiscriminate Waste Disposal

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has proposed the use of indigenous languages to drive home the message of proper waste management in tandem with international best practices.

    Lagos State First Lady maintained that the task to ensure a clean environment requires a collective effort, challenging members of the entertainment industry to come up with various songs to further create awareness on the need to ensure sustainable waste management.

    She noted the importance of breaking the message down into different languages for people to imbibe the essence of a clean environment.

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    The First Lady averred that, apart from the nexus between waste management and health, the issue of a clean environment is equally important in creating investment opportunities in the state and country.

    She said: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness. It’s something we can do. Considering that the war against waste will be launched in the three senatorial districts, I am so happy that we have a baseline that we are looking at and we also have scorecards.

    “The issue of cleanliness requires a collective effort. Mr. Governor cannot do it alone; the cabinet cannot do it alone and so it is a joint effort by all of us. But I like the fact that we are going the route of campaigning, creating awareness and advocacy.

    “We need to repeat this because if we don’t continuously create this awareness among our people in different languages, the result will be the same.

    “Lagos State alone has so many languages and when we want to interpret, we have to interpret in all those languages. I am happy we have Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) here, the songs will go a long way in communicating to the people the need to keep the state clean.”

    She disclosed on Tuesday while receiving members of the Statewide Waste and Environmental Education Foundation (SWEEP), who had embarked on special advocacy walk against waste, in partnership with various organisations, including National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC), PMAN, National Coalition Against Plastic Pollution, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network and National Youth Council, among others.

    The First Lady commended the organisers of the advocacy walk for believing in the vision of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to ensure proper waste management as specified in the Sustainable Development Goals.

    In her remarks, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Belinda Odeneye, urged residents to key into the waste-to-wealth initiative of the Sanwo-Olu administration, saying people must understand that waste should not and must not be wasted.

    Speaking earlier, the convener of the Walk and President of SWEEP Foundation, Obuesi Philips said the exercise was aimed at driving community awareness and involvement in sustainable waste prevention.

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    “The “Walk-Against-Waste” is designed to create massive statewide awareness, catalyse new grassroots orientation on environmental sanitation, waste prevention and sustainable waste management,” Philips said.

    The walk started at Awolowo House, Ikeja, proceeded through Allen Avenue and terminated in front of Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa in Ikeja.

    Photos:

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Lagos to evacuate drainage silts as early morning rainfall causes building collapse in Yaba

    Lagos to evacuate drainage silts as early morning rainfall causes building collapse in Yaba

    By Idowu Sowunmi

    Lagos State Government has promised to focus its immediate attention on the evacuation of silts removed from all cleared drains in the state.

    This was coming as Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) disclosed that there was a partial building collapse at 6, Olonode Street, Alagomeji in Yaba, in the early hours of Monday due to the heavy rainfall in the area.

    Addressing journalists after the second round inspection tour of ongoing drainage project sites in Surulere, Lagos Mainland and Somolu local government areas, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, said findings have shown that several drainage channels, which had been cleared in the past, are quickly filled with dirt again due to non-evacuation of the silts in time.

    He assured that work is ongoing at various canals and drainages in order to ensure the free flow of wastewater.

    “This is the second phase of the inspection tour we commenced last week. It’s an ongoing process. The inspection is based on the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that the ministry’s officials must continuously go out to monitor closely and ascertain the level of work being carried out by the contractors assigned to clean these canals,” Bello said.

    The commissioner added that the Sanwo-Olu administration has been able to reduce indiscriminate waste disposal by residents to an appreciable level, noting that the government would not relent in performing its responsibilities of maintaining flood-free, clean and hygienic environment in Lagos State.

    Bello was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Special Adviser Drainages, Joe Igbokwe, and Permanent Secretary, Lekan Shodeinde.

    While expressing satisfaction with the level of work at most of the project sites, he noted that the attention of project contractors has, however, been called to few noticeable lapses in some areas.

    READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu moves to save jobs, restart Lagos economy with Register-to-Open guidelines

    On the other hand, the commissioner expressed dissatisfaction with the level of work done at Fatai Kadiri Drain (Opeyemi Fola-Agoro Collector Drain), demanding that contractors should revisit the area for more dredging, while they should immediately remove some of the culverts that were wrongly positioned.

    Some of the drainage channels and canals visited include Somolu, Kosofe, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Alausa Ikeja, System 2/Fola-Agoro, Gbagada/Bariga Channel and Anthony Oke.

    Other projects inspected are: Opeyemi Fola-Agoro collector drain, dredging of Ojo-Oniyun-Olaleye (by Park Lane), Otumara collector drain, Alaka – Tejuosho channel (System 4) Alaka, dredging of Carter-Railway channel Alaka, Nathan collector drain, dredging of Bush Arowojobe channel, Atunranse canal, System C6 by Fashoro/Akobi Crescent and System C6 by LUTH Idi – Araba.

    Meanwhile, a building has suffered partial collapse in Yaba area of Lagos due to heavy rainfall.

    Speaking on the incident, LASBCA General Manager, Engr. Biola Kosegbe, said the collapsed building was a three-floor structure and had previously been identified, sealed and marked for demolition, while all occupants had been evacuated by the agency before the unfortunate incident.

    “The structure, which had hitherto failed the integrity test carried out by the agency, had been earmarked for removal by LASBCA. With the latest development, the officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have commenced the immediate demolition of the building to prevent any loss of lives,” she said.

    Kosegbe urged owners of old buildings in the state to, as a matter of urgency, ascertain the level of structural stability of their property to avert collapse, most especially with the present raining season.

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    The general manager explained that statistics has shown high incidence of building collapse during this period.

    Kosegbe maintained that the present administration would leave no stone unturned in sanitising the building construction industry removing all illegal or distressed buildings, as well as structures that are not in conformity with the state building laws, regulations and standards.

    She reaffirmed the commitment of the agency in ensuring that all building owners as well as developers across the metropolis comply strictly with all regulations and safety precautions, in order to prevent or reduce the occurrence of building collapse in the state.