The Lagos State Government has called on stakeholders, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, and development partners to collaborate with the State in protecting wetlands across Lagos.
Eko Hot News reports that the call was made on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services, Dr Tajudeen Gaji, during the 2026 World Wetlands Day celebration at Yafin Jetty, Badagry.
He said collective action is essential not only to conserve wetlands as vital ecosystems but also to preserve the cultural heritage and communities that have protected them for generations.
Speaking through the Director of Conservation and Ecology, Mrs Tolu Adeyo, Dr Gaji explained that the event was organised to raise awareness about the global importance of wetlands and the need for sustainable management of what he described as one of the most productive ecosystems on earth.
He noted that World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually, marking the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. According to him, the 2026 theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” underscores the strong link between wetlands, cultural practices, and indigenous knowledge systems.
Dr Gaji stated that for decades, local communities in Lagos have managed wetlands through traditional governance systems such as customary rules, seasonal usage, respect for natural boundaries, and regulated resource use. He said these practices served as early environmental governance models before the introduction of formal policies.
He warned that rapid urbanisation, infrastructure development, and climate change now pose serious threats to wetlands, adding that weak integration between modern policies and traditional knowledge has contributed to degradation in some areas.
He stressed that the State Government has implemented several programmes and projects to address wetland decline, while emphasising the need to integrate traditional knowledge into modern wetland management frameworks through inclusive, community-based governance.
In his remarks, the Aholu of Yafin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba Abiodun Patinvoh, Yafin I, commended the Lagos State Government for its continuous support and pledged the community’s commitment to protecting its wetlands.
The highlight of the event was a visit to the Lagos State Wetlands Conservation Site preserved by the Yafin community.
