Heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding across Lagos, forcing many residents from their homes, leaving motorists stranded as several vehicles became submerged and damaged, and compelling numerous businesses to shut down.
The flooding has once again sparked concerns about the condition of the state’s drainage network, waste disposal practices and flood management systems, as residents argued that Lagos should no longer be experiencing extensive flooding whenever heavy rain falls.
On Tuesday, a video circulating online showed officials of the Lagos State Government clearing blocked drainage channels while rainfall was ongoing, attracting criticism from residents who accused the authorities of responding only after floodwaters had already inundated affected communities.
Disturbing footage also surfaced showing helpless residents watching as floodwaters carried away a man inside his wooden kiosk, with no immediate rescue effort visible.
Assets valued at millions of naira were equally destroyed after a collapsed fence crashed onto vehicles parked inside a mechanic’s workshop.
According to media reports, a creative consultant, Nosa Iyamu, said: “The road leading into Lekki is a major corridor and, whether at the Chevron axis or the Atlantic side, the objective should be to channel floodwater into the surrounding water bodies. However, Lagos is a low-lying coastal city and is highly vulnerable to flooding. When it rains, the water does not drain quickly enough.
“Another challenge is the blocked and narrow drainage channels. There is a major canal in Ikota that a contractor has been working on for years, yet no one is asking why the project has stalled. I also do not understand the design of Ikota Road. Water pools in the middle of the road instead of flowing into the gutters. The drains are blocked, so who is responsible for maintaining them? Lagos experiences flooding every year, yet there appears to be no lasting solution.”
He added: “In the past, attention was focused mainly on Victoria Island and Lekki. Today, however, areas such as Ikeja, Ikotun, Gbagada and Ejigbo are also severely affected by flooding. The state’s central drainage system requires urgent attention. While the government says it has undertaken several interventions, much more still needs to be done.”
On the impact of the coastal road, Iyamu said: “The government also needs to examine the effect of the coastal road. Water that should naturally flow into the lagoon is now being obstructed. Overall, Lagos has a serious drainage problem.”
Another resident, Wisdom Sotomchukwu, said the flooding had left many families in distress.
“I have not slept since yesterday because my apartment is flooded. Many people in my neighbourhood have been pumping water out of their homes and do not know what to do. I am unhappy with the situation. There is flooding, the roads are in poor condition, there is no water supply and no electricity, yet we claim to have a government. Tax revenue should be used to improve road infrastructure and strengthen flood control measures.”
He added: “I have been evacuating water from my apartment since last week, but this morning I gave up mopping because I was exhausted. I had to step out to clear my head. Lagos is one of Africa’s most important cities. It should be one of the best places to live, not a city where residents constantly battle flooding.”
According to media reports, a resident of Festac Extension, Jakande Estate, who identified himself simply as Uche, said: “The situation is crazy. There is no proper drainage and I am stuck at home today instead of going to the market.”
“Now I am at home, losing money by staying at home. An opportunity lost cannot be regained, and that is the situation.”
In parts of Surulere, residents and commuters were also left stranded after serious flooding along Lawanson Road disrupted movement, destroyed property and renewed worries about the city’s drainage infrastructure despite the recently completed drainage project in the area.
A visit to the affected community showed roads covered by floodwaters, making movement difficult for both pedestrians and motorists.
Several shops along Lawanson Road were inundated, with traders seen bailing water from their business premises.
Commercial activities slowed significantly as shop owners struggled to keep floodwater from entering their stores, while roadside traders hurriedly relocated their goods to safer places.
The downpour also exposed long-standing drainage deficiencies in the community.
Waste carried into drainage channels appeared to have blocked the waterways, causing floodwater to remain on the roads for hours even after the rainfall had stopped.
According to media reports, residents who spoke about the situation expressed frustration over what they described as a recurring challenge whenever there is heavy rainfall. They urged the appropriate authorities to strengthen drainage infrastructure, carry out regular desilting of canals and enforce proper waste disposal to minimise flooding.
For commuters, the flooding proved both exhausting and expensive. Many spent long hours in traffic congestion, while others trekked considerable distances through floodwater because commercial transport fares had increased sharply.
The flooding further heightened health concerns, as stagnant floodwater mixed with refuse could trigger outbreaks of waterborne diseases and increase environmental pollution.
Residents appealed to government agencies and members of the public to work together in tackling the root causes of flooding, stressing that improved infrastructure, regular drainage maintenance and responsible environmental behaviour are vital to preventing future occurrences.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has appealed for patience and cooperation from residents following the widespread flash flooding recorded across several parts of the state in the past two weeks, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approving immediate maintenance dredging of 28 additional primary drainage channels.
Addressing the recent heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods in several communities, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the downpour was an extreme weather event that released an unusually large volume of water within a short period, overwhelming drainage systems in some areas and causing temporary flooding across Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku and other communities.
According to the commissioner, the incident was not unique to Lagos, noting that several African countries and parts of North America also experienced similar heavy rainfall on the same day, resulting in flooding across different cities. He explained that although Lagos shares coastal and hydraulic characteristics with many of these locations, its hydrological system is far more complex because of its extensive network of lagoons, rivers, creeks, tidal water bodies and considerably higher rainfall intensity.
He explained that the interaction between the Atlantic Ocean, the Lagos Lagoon and the state’s numerous rivers and creeks, particularly during periods of high tide, naturally slows the discharge of stormwater into the sea, resulting in temporary inundation in some low-lying areas whenever exceptionally heavy rainfall occurs.
Wahab assured residents that the state government remains fully in control of the situation through continuous monitoring of drainage infrastructure, flood-prone areas and critical waterways. He added that emergency response agencies have remained on the ground to ensure floodwaters recede as quickly as possible while providing assistance where required.
The commissioner stressed that although the government continues to invest heavily in drainage construction, channelisation, desilting and other flood control projects, residents also have a crucial role in reducing the impact of flooding.
He urged residents to refrain from indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains, canals and waterways, illegal reclamation of wetlands, construction on drainage alignments and other activities capable of obstructing the free flow of stormwater, warning that such practices worsen flooding during periods of intense rainfall.
Wahab noted that the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident around the world, with coastal cities experiencing more frequent and heavier rainfall.
“Lagos is not exempt from these realities. However, the state government remains steadfast in its commitment to building a flood-resilient city through sustained infrastructure development, environmental enforcement and active collaboration with residents,” he said.
He reiterated that safeguarding Lagos against flooding is a shared responsibility and urged residents to support government efforts by keeping drainage channels free from waste and reporting activities capable of obstructing the free flow of stormwater.
He also advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads during heavy rainfall and urged residents, particularly those living in flood-prone communities, to follow weather advisories and comply with safety directives issued regularly by relevant government agencies, including the ministry.
He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive flood management initiatives and appealed to residents to continue partnering with the government in building a cleaner, safer and more resilient Lagos.
