Lagos Government Addresses Heavy Flooding, Says Situation Is Under Control

According to IReporter Online, the Lagos State Government has approved the immediate dredging and maintenance of 28 additional primary drainage channels across the state following severe flooding that recently disrupted several communities.

This development was disclosed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement released on Tuesday through the ministry’s spokesperson, Kunle Adeshina.

Wahab explained that the decision was in response to flash floods triggered by intense rainfall, describing the downpour as an extreme weather event that produced an unusually high volume of water within a short period, overwhelming drainage systems in affected areas.

He noted that several parts of the state, including Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku, and other communities, experienced temporary flooding due to the inability of drainage channels to contain the excess runoff.

In the statement, the state government urged residents to remain calm, stressing that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had already approved urgent intervention measures, including dredging works across critical drainage channels to improve water flow and reduce future flooding incidents.

Wahab further stated that the flooding was not unique to Lagos, adding that similar heavy rainfall events were recorded in other African countries and parts of North America on the same day. He attributed the situation to Lagos’ complex hydrological structure, which includes lagoons, rivers, creeks, and tidal water bodies that influence water discharge, especially during high tide conditions.

He explained that the interaction between the Atlantic Ocean and Lagos Lagoon often slows the discharge of stormwater into the sea, contributing to temporary flooding in low-lying areas during periods of intense rainfall.

The commissioner assured residents that the government was actively monitoring drainage infrastructure and flood-prone areas, while emergency response teams remained on standby to assist affected communities.

He also appealed to residents to support flood control efforts by avoiding indiscriminate waste disposal into drainage channels, illegal land reclamation, and construction on drainage paths, warning that such actions worsen flooding across the state.

Wahab added that climate change was increasingly influencing global weather patterns, particularly in coastal cities, and reiterated the government’s commitment to building a more flood-resilient Lagos through infrastructure upgrades and environmental enforcement.

He emphasized that flood management is a shared responsibility, urging residents to keep drainage systems clear and adhere to safety advisories during heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, the recent flooding sparked public outrage after hours of rainfall submerged major roads, disrupted transportation, and left several communities across Lagos under water. Affected areas included Ikeja, Lekki, Mushin, Ikorodu Road, Maryland, Agege, Oshodi, Alimosho, Ogudu, Gbagada, and Obalende.

Many commuters were stranded as commercial transport operators suspended services, while some motorists abandoned vehicles on flooded roads. Major highways, including sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, and Lekki-Epe Expressway, also experienced severe disruptions due to rising floodwaters.