Judging from previous years’ destructions, deaths, and general calamity arising from the deadly annual flooding, Lagos residents are immersed in fears and troubled about averting rainy tragedies this year, as predictions of doom occasioned by the rains have started sending jitters.
Will the season bring a Deluge or a Breakthrough? This is the question on many lips.
In this special report, Korede Abdullah, South West correspondent for Africa Health Report (AHR), calls on the relevant authorities to take urgent action to prevent a recurrence of the disasters witnessed in previous years.
A City on the Edge of Water
Lagos is notoriously prone to flooding, with the devastating impacts felt year after year. These floods disrupt socio-economic activities and endanger lives.
As Lagos braces for the 2025 rainy season, anxiety rises among its 20 million residents. Despite repeated assurances by the Lagos State Government, the city’s vulnerability to flooding remains a critical issue. Urban sprawl, blocked drainages, and the compounding effects of climate change have turned every downpour into a potential disaster.
According to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Lagos is among the states at highest risk of flash flooding this year. Experts warn that sea-level rise—currently projected at 3.2 mm annually—could accelerate the submergence of low-lying coastal zones if mitigation strategies are not urgently scaled up.
Meanwhile, the UN’s latest report on urban climate vulnerability identifies Lagos as one of Africa’s most at-risk cities due to its combination of dense population, low elevation, and poor infrastructure.
Flood Hotspots and Human Toll
Africa Health Report (AHR) findings show that flooding is not evenly spread across Lagos. In Ikorodu, neighborhoods like Ketu, Alapere, and Mile 12 have become symbols of infrastructural failure, with images of submerged homes and displaced families circulating annually.
“We don’t sleep when the clouds gather,” said Mrs. Yetunde Balogun, a trader in Ikotun. Meanwhile, parts of Alimosho, Agege, Ikeja, and Amuwo-Odofin report recurrent infrastructural damage every wet season, worsened by poor waste disposal practices.
In Alimosho alone, the 2024 floods displaced over 2,000 residents, with emergency shelters quickly overwhelmed. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has identified 17 flashpoint communities within Lagos, highlighting the urgent need for decentralized flood management strategies.
Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi: From Luxury to Liability
Upscale neighbourhoods are not immune. Lekki, Ajah, and Ikoyi were devastated by the 2024 floods, which saw luxury vehicles floating like boats and streets morphing into rivers. “Flooding in these areas is no longer a rare occurrence but a yearly calamity,” said Dr. Richard Adebayo, an environmental consultant who spoke with our correspondent.
The crisis points to the fragile foundation of Lagos’ coastal expansion. Despite their elite status, these areas were largely built on reclaimed wetlands with inadequate elevation buffers and drainage designs that fail under intense rainfall.
Real estate developers, drawn by high profit margins, have often bypassed environmental impact assessments, while residents bear the brunt of planning shortcuts. Some property owners have now begun lobbying for drainage tax relief and insurance subsidies.
Government Response: Promises and Projects
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has insisted that Lagos is better prepared than ever. During a recent tour of the Lagos Island Urban Regeneration Project, he affirmed the state’s readiness: “You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs,” Wahab said.
He stressed that current construction pains will lead to long-term solutions.
The state has reportedly committed N75 billion for flood mitigation efforts in the 2025 fiscal year. This includes the construction of new retention basins, clearing of 200 primary drainage channels, and desilting of over 80 tertiary drains. However, many citizens remain skeptical due to past delays and the opacity of project execution.
Infrastructure Overhaul Underway
Wahab revealed that the Lagos Island regeneration project includes comprehensive drainage overhauls, road reconstruction, and coordinated urban planning. “With Governor Sanwo-Olu’s oversight, we’ve upgraded drainages and built temporary pumping stations like the one at Adeniji Adele to redirect stormwater,” he noted.
The phased project is scheduled to run for 9 to 24 months. Also included are smart water flow monitoring systems and the introduction of permeable pavements in pilot areas to enhance water absorption.
While engineers applaud the scope of the plan, some residents have raised concerns over road closures and construction delays that have disrupted businesses and worsened traffic gridlock.
Lagos Government Demolishes Buildings to Address Flooding
The Lagos State Government has commenced demolition of buildings in Eti-Osa LGA to mitigate persistent flooding, beginning with structures within Megamond, Oral, and Westend Estates along the Ikota River.
“Following the expiration of served notices, operatives… commenced the removal of contravening structures… to prevent perennial flooding in the area,” said Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.
During an inspection on Saturday, Wahab explained that despite multiple warnings and engagement efforts, some developers continued to encroach on the river’s Right of Way (RoW), even resorting to sand-filling restricted areas.
Wahab emphasized the human impact of the operation, stating, “We will allow them move their things out; family men and women with children reside here.” As a preparatory signal, officials poked the fences of affected buildings, marking the start of clearance activities.
He added that about 39 units across the three estates have been identified for demolition, based on a digital footprint tracing the river’s original alignment. “What some developers are doing is reclamation… and most of them do not have (Environmental Impact Assessment) or Drainage Clearance documents,” Wahab said, warning that unchecked development could worsen ecological disruptions.
Tackling the Root Causes: Urban Planning Failures
Experts point to systemic flaws in Lagos’ urban planning model. “We are building in swamps without proper drainage integration,” said Professor Funmi Olatunji, an urban development researcher.
She emphasized the need for strict enforcement of building codes, especially in flood-prone areas. “Every new structure without environmental clearance is a ticking flood bomb.”, she said.
Data from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) shows that over 40% of buildings in flood-prone zones lack formal approval. Scholars argue that flood mitigation must be embedded in the Lagos 2050 Master Plan, with clear zoning policies, water-sensitive urban design, and a halt to land-use conversions in ecologically sensitive areas
Enforcement Against Flooding Offenders
Beyond construction, enforcement is taking center stage. Illegal structures like shanties blocking drainage paths are being demolished. “We sealed off a site at Idi Oluwo for dumping materials into a drainage,” Wahab reported.
The crackdown also extends to environmental violators using Styrofoam and single-use plastics, with sanctions now being issued more aggressively.
The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has also begun naming and shaming violators, and over 180 offenders have been fined in the past three months.
However, civil rights groups have called for a more humane relocation policy for affected informal settlers, warning that enforcement without resettlement creates new vulnerabilities.
Health and Socio-Economic Consequences
Experts warn that flooding poses severe health and socio-economic risks each rainy season. One of the most immediate dangers is drowning, especially in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
In addition to physical danger, infrastructural damage often leaves communities without access to clean water and sanitation, increasing the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis A.
Floods also destroy crops, food supplies, and livelihoods, leading to malnutrition, particularly among children. Homes and businesses are frequently submerged or washed away, leaving thousands displaced and financially ruined after every major downpour.
Prevention First: What Experts Recommend
Experts warn that Lagos must implement preventive strategies ahead of the rainy season to avoid disaster. Urban planners and environmental engineers recommend proper waste management to prevent blocked drainage, the construction of effective stormwater systems, and the relocation of people living in flood-prone zones.
Emergency preparedness is also crucial—officials must develop early warning systems, designate shelters, and equip emergency services to respond swiftly.
In advanced countries, governments often declare emergencies ahead of predicted heavy rainfall, allowing resources to be mobilized early and citizens to be adequately protected—an approach Lagos must begin to emulate to safeguard lives and property.
Public Awareness: A Critical Gap
Despite awareness campaigns, many residents continue to dump refuse in gutters. “Infrastructure alone won’t save Lagos,” said environmentalist Chuka Eze. He advocates for community-led monitoring and civic education.
Some CDAs have started street-cleaning competitions, and hashtags like #DrainWatchLagos are gaining traction. Still, many believe flood awareness should be embedded in school curricula to build a culture of responsibility from a young age.
Technology and Forecasting: Tools of Preparedness
Experts recommend leveraging technology to mitigate flood impacts. “We need a robust early warning system integrated with mobile alerts,” said Dr. Tolu Olaniyan, a climate scientist. He stressed collaboration with NiMET for predictive mapping and real-time updates.
Wahab confirmed ongoing partnerships to deploy more weather sensors across Lagos. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has begun piloting a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based flood dashboard, which will allow residents to track high-risk areas. Drones are also being used for aerial surveillance of blocked canals and illegal landfills, offering a new layer of accountability.
Hope or Hype?
With the 2025 rains already drizzling across parts of Lagos, the real test lies ahead. Can the combination of regeneration projects, stricter enforcement, and public cooperation finally turn the tide? Wahab believes so: “Flooding is seasonal, but our vigilance is year-round.”
For Lagosians, survival may hinge not just on rainfall, but on reform. Experts caution that without a consistent, long-term framework for climate resilience, the cycle of disaster and recovery will persist. For now, the city waits—wet, wary, and watching the skies.
