Lagos Charts New Course in Climate Governance With

Lagos State has taken a significant step in climate governance by unveiling the Lagos State Greenhouse Gas Registry (LGHGR). This initiative positions the megacity as the first sub-national government in Nigeria to establish a comprehensive system for tracking its carbon footprint.

Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), described the registry as a pivotal moment in the state's climate journey. He emphasized that it is not merely a bureaucratic milestone but the foundational architecture for a resilient, low-carbon economy. The registry's mandate is to measure, monitor, report, and verify emissions across all major economic sectors.

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This is a defining moment in the state’s climate journey – not a symbolic gesture, but the architecture for a resilient, low-carbon economy.

Ajayi linked the initiative directly to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu's environmental agenda, showcasing the alignment of policy ambition with technical execution. He also framed the registry as a crucial link between government and investors, enhancing evidence-based policymaking, transparency, and climate reporting obligations. This, he believes, will unlock carbon market participation and bolster investor confidence in Lagos's climate credentials.

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Lagos now sits at the forefront of climate governance and emissions accountability not just in Nigeria, but across the continent.

Commissioner for Health Professor Akin Abayomi reinforced the importance of the registry, stating that Lagos is now at the forefront of climate governance and emissions accountability in Nigeria and across Africa. He stressed the inseparable link between climate change and public health, asserting that credible emissions data is essential for attracting climate finance, strengthening resilience, and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future.

The technical aspects were detailed by Dr. Mofoluso Fagbeja, CEO of TPHG Technologies, the project's technical partner. He explained that the registry builds upon a 2022 greenhouse gas inventory, which used 2019 as a baseline. That inventory revealed a sobering statistic: approximately 35,000 premature deaths annually in Lagos are linked to poor air quality. This data gap, particularly in the industrial sector, underscores the urgency of the registry's work.

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Sustainable construction should be viewed from a lifecycle perspective. While initial investments may be higher, the long-term economic and environmental benefits far outweigh the costs, delivering value for owners, occupants, and society as a whole.