Lagos has taken the spotlight in Nigeria’s efforts to make its buildings more climate-friendly as stakeholders gathered for the Southwest Regional Workshop of the NDC Scorecard for Sustainable Buildings Project.
The meeting, held last Tuesday at the Radisson Blu Anchorage, brought together government officials, industry experts, development partners, academics and civil society groups. It was organised by the Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN) in partnership with the Lagos State Office of e-GIS and Urban Development, under the World Green Building Council’s global Be Bold on Buildings campaign.
Nigeria is one of five countries participating in the international project, alongside Brazil, Colombia, Egypt and the Philippines. The Scorecard initiative is designed to help countries align policies, regulations, financing and delivery strategies with climate goals, ensuring the built environment contributes to sustainable development and resilience.
Speaking on behalf of the Lagos State government, Mr. Segun Williams, Senior Special Assistant on Urban Development, said Lagos had long been a leader in green reforms.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Dr. Olajide Abiodun Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, he noted: “This dialogue aligns with our commitment to supporting the adoption of sustainable development, green energy, and green building practices in Lagos.”
The event featured interactive discussions, peer-learning sessions and responses from stakeholders who explored how Lagos and other states could translate national climate goals into practical local action.
Sangeetha Ramaraj, Technical and Innovation Officer at GBCN, said there was strong alignment on issues such as building codes, finance and data, but noted gaps in enforcement and coordination. “This workshop helps surface these realities and chart a way forward,” she said.
Officials from Lagos ministries of Housing, Environment and Water Resources joined representatives from the State Resilience Office, Lafarge, the University of Lagos and the Osun State Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. Mojisola Jacob Clara, from Osun’s Ministry of Lands, said the state was working closely with its Ministry of Environment to mainstream resilience into planning processes. “We’re also fostering inter-ministerial collaboration through joint workshops and shared implementation frameworks,” she said.
Academics also highlighted their role. Dr. Olatunji Oladiran from the University of Lagos said the institution had begun revising curricula to include green construction principles. “This helps future-proof our graduates and positions academia as an engine of implementation,” he explained.
Omoyemi Olayiwola, Director of Research and Innovation at GBCN, said the workshop produced over 45 actionable takeaways. “But the bigger takeaway is that we need measurable impact, not just policies on paper. That’s what the Scorecard and this next phase of engagement are all about,” she said.
The Lagos workshop marked the first in a series of regional dialogues aimed at localising Nigeria’s Action Plan for Decarbonisation and Resilience in the Built Environment. Similar workshops are planned for the North-Central and South-South regions to build momentum ahead of COP30, where the global construction sector — responsible for nearly 40 per cent of energy-related emissions — is expected to play a central role in climate planning.
“We are proud to be part of the global Be Bold on Buildings campaign,” said Danjuma Waniko, President of GBCN. “This is Nigeria’s opportunity to lead by example in Africa and ensure buildings are no longer part of the problem, but central to the solution.”
