Lagos Shift to Sustainable Construction: Why Green Buildings Are the Future – Stephen Adeniyi
By Rebecca Ejifoma
As one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, Lagos is taking decisive steps toward sustainable construction, integrating eco-friendly designs and geotechnical innovations into urban development. Leading experts, including geotechnical engineer Stephen Adeniyi, say the city must embrace green building practices to combat environmental degradation and ensure long-term structural resilience.
At the forefront of this shift is the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), whose headquarters now serves as a model for sustainable construction. Designed with energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental impact in mind, the building represents the state’s vision for a greener future.
“For too long, construction in Lagos has focused solely on speed and cost, often at the expense of the environment. But now, we are seeing a change—sustainability is becoming a necessity,” Adeniyi said. He noted that green buildings not only reduce carbon footprints but also improve air quality and lower energy consumption, making them ideal for a city as densely populated as Lagos.
Despite progress, challenges remain. Many developers still prioritize conventional building materials and techniques due to their lower upfront costs, even though green infrastructure offers long-term savings. Adeniyi believes the government must enforce more policies that incentivize eco-friendly construction, ensuring that sustainability becomes the norm rather than the exception.
“It’s not just about adding solar panels or planting trees around a building. True sustainability starts with the foundation—understanding the soil, optimizing materials, and designing for longevity. If we don’t incorporate geotechnical expertise, these green buildings won’t stand the test of time,” he explained.
Lagos’ environmental concerns, including rising temperatures, flooding, and air pollution, make sustainable construction even more urgent. Buildings designed with energy efficiency in mind can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while water-sensitive urban planning can mitigate flooding risks. Adeniyi stressed that without a strong foundation in geotechnical assessments, even the most advanced eco-friendly designs could fail.
“Lagos cannot afford to build without thinking about the future. Every structure we put up today should be designed to withstand tomorrow’s environmental challenges. That’s why sustainability must go beyond aesthetics—it has to be built into the very soil we stand on,” he added.
The city continues to expand, and experts say that integrating sustainability into urban planning will not only protect the environment but also enhance economic growth by attracting investors interested in long-term, resilient developments.
With the success of the LASBCA headquarters as a benchmark, stakeholders and experts like Adeniyi, are hopeful that more developers will follow suit, embracing green architecture and geotechnical best practices to shape a Lagos that is both modern and sustainable.
