As a fresh Nigerian graduate navigating this field, I see the main barrier to Nature-based Solutions as a clash between natural timelines and urban reality: concrete gets quick political approval, while restoring mangrove buffers in Lekki or building bioswales may take years to mature and compete with high-value real estate.
Additionally, standard engineering and economic models favor gray infrastructure because they know how to price concrete, but don't know how to value the long-term flood defense and social benefits that healthy ecosystems provide to vulnerable coastal communities.
Additionally, standard engineering and economic models favor gray infrastructure because they know how to price concrete, but don't know how to value the long-term flood defense and social benefits that healthy ecosystems provide to vulnerable coastal communities.