The Lagos State Government has raised a red flag over the alarming death toll linked to carbon monoxide pollution, disclosing that an estimated 30,000 residents die each year due to exposure from generator fumes. The revelation was made at the 2025 Lagos Energy Summit held in Victoria Island, where urgent calls were made for a transition away from fossil fuel dependency.
Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Biodun Ogunleye, described the situation as a full-blown public health crisis. He noted that Lagos alone operates around 4.5 million generators, heavily used across homes, markets, and small businesses. These generators, he said, consume roughly 16 billion litres of fuel annually, costing residents about ₦14 trillion at current pump prices and releasing over 38 million tons of carbon dioxide — a figure that surpasses the emissions of some entire African nations.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delivering the keynote address, echoed the commissioner’s concerns, emphasizing that the state’s energy ecosystem has become unsustainably fragmented and inefficient. He pointed out that while residents are investing heavily in power generation, the lack of a coordinated, clean, and centralized system is undermining both environmental health and economic growth.
Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a cleaner, more reliable energy future under the T.H.E.M.E.S+ policy framework, stating that Lagos is pursuing a robust agenda to boost power access, efficiency, and sustainability. He highlighted the need for a shift in focus from private generator use to structured investments in gas-fired, solar, and captive power systems that can serve the population at scale.
Ogunleye further emphasized the urgency, citing data that shows 72% of Lagos households own at least one generator, while 94% of MSMEs and 76% of market clusters depend on them to function. He warned that the continued reliance on generators not only fuels pollution but also stifles long-term development and productivity.
The summit also served as a platform for unveiling several policy instruments, including the Lagos Electricity Law signed in December 2024, the Clean Lagos Electricity Market initiative, and the Lagos Gas Master Plan. These frameworks are designed to guide long-term energy planning and attract investments in the state’s electricity sector.
Governor Sanwo-Olu concluded on a hopeful note, expressing confidence that Lagos is on track to become Africa’s leading energy investment hub and a global model for sub-national energy transition. He reaffirmed the government’s vision of a future where every Lagosian — from students to entrepreneurs — can thrive on clean, dependable, and affordable electricity.
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