Lagos govt urges residents of flood-prone communities to move to safer ground

The Lagos State Government has urged residents in flood-prone communities to move to safer ground where necessary following a seven-day flood alert issued by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).

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The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the warning in a post on his X account on Monday.

The alert, which covers 19 to 25 September, includes Lagos and 14 other states.

Mr Wahab urged residents in low-lying, riverine and coastal communities to take the warning seriously and act before floodwaters rise.

He identified Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri, Ilaje Waterfront and Jetty Terminal B among the areas requiring vigilance.

Other locations he listed include communities along the Ogun River and other waterways, such as Isheri North, Kara, Itowolo, Ajegunle, Majidun, Ogolonto, parts of Agboyi and settlements downstream of Isheri Olofin.

“Residents in vulnerable locations should move to safer and higher ground whenever necessary and should not wait for floodwaters to rise before taking action,” Mr Wahab said.

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“No property is worth risking a life.”

Government monitors rainfall, river levels

Mr Wahab stated that the government was monitoring rainfall and river levels while working with relevant agencies to strengthen flood prevention and response measures.

He urged residents to keep drains and waterways clear of refuse and avoid walking or driving through flooded areas.

The commissioner also advised residents to rely on official flood forecasts and advisories rather than unverified information.

“Our priority remains the protection of lives and property,” he noted, urging residents to remain calm and follow safety instructions.

Lagos continues to battle flooding

The warning comes as Lagos continues to deal with flooding in several communities during periods of heavy rainfall.

In its 2026 Annual Flood Outlook, NiHSA identified Lagos among states at risk of flooding, with intense rainfall, flash floods and coastal flooding posing potential threats to vulnerable communities.

In July, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited flood-affected communities in Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, including Ogombo, Monastery Road-Sangotedo, Gbetu and Iwerekun.

Residents who met the governor and other government officials appealed for immediate relief and lasting solutions to recurring flooding, which they said had damaged homes and businesses and disrupted movement.

The visit followed days of heavy rainfall that submerged roads and affected movement in parts of the state.

Drainage challenges persist

Mr Wahab had attributed some flooding incidents to heavy rainfall, high tidal levels and limitations in drainage infrastructure.

He said earlier interventions in Ajiran and Agungi had improved stormwater discharge after blocked drainage channels were cleared and natural waterways restored.

However, he acknowledged that some communities, including Ajiran, continued to experience persistent flooding.

According to the commissioner, illegal land reclamation by private landowners had contributed to some of the problems.

“We are extending the drainage channels to the lagoon. Those are the issues we are addressing,” he said.

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Explaining the cause of some flash floods, Mr Wahab stated that heavy rainfall coinciding with high tidal levels could temporarily prevent stormwater from draining into the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.

Flooding in Lagos has also been associated with rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure, development on wetlands and the dumping of refuse in waterways.

The state government has repeatedly warned residents against disposing of waste in drainage channels, which can obstruct the flow of water during heavy rainfall.

The government urged residents in vulnerable communities to remain alert, monitor official weather and flood advisories, and take early action when necessary.