The Lagos State Government has urged residents to remain calm and understanding following recent flash floods that have affected several communities across the state over the past two weeks.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has authorized the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels to address the situation.
Addressing the public after the heavy rainfall, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that the recent downpours constituted an extreme weather event, bringing an unusually large volume of rain within a short period. This overwhelmed drainage systems in areas such as Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku, and others, resulting in temporary flooding.
According to a statement from the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, Wahab noted that Lagos was not alone in facing such challenges, as similar incidents occurred in other African countries and even in some North American cities around the same time.
He pointed out that while many cities share coastal and hydraulic features, Lagos’s complex network of lagoons, tidal bodies, rivers, and creeks, combined with high rainfall intensity, makes its hydrological system particularly challenging.
The Commissioner further explained that the interaction between the Atlantic Ocean, Lagos Lagoon, and the city’s rivers and creeks—especially during high tides—can slow stormwater discharge, leading to temporary flooding in low-lying areas during intense rains.
Wahab assured residents that the government is actively monitoring drainage infrastructure and flood-prone locations, with emergency response teams in place to ensure floodwaters recede as quickly as possible and to provide assistance when needed. He emphasized that, alongside the government’s ongoing investments in drainage construction, desilting, and other flood control measures, residents also have a critical role to play.
He appealed to the public to refrain from dumping refuse into drains, canals, and waterways, or engaging in illegal reclamation of wetlands and construction on drainage alignments, warning that such actions exacerbate flooding during heavy rains. Wahab highlighted the increasing impact of climate change, with coastal cities worldwide experiencing more frequent and intense rainfall.
While Lagos is not exempt, the government is committed to building a flood-resilient city through continuous infrastructure development, environmental enforcement, and active collaboration with residents.
Residents—especially those in flood-prone areas—were also advised to heed weather advisories, avoid driving through flooded roads during downpours, and comply with safety instructions issued by relevant agencies. The Commissioner called on everyone in Lagos to support government efforts by keeping drainage channels clear of waste and reporting any activities that might block the free flow of stormwater, stressing that flood management is a shared responsibility.
