Lagos, the commercial center of Nigeria, is surrounded by an atmosphere of uncertainty, especially on the island, as locals prepare for what experts say may be one of the worst flood seasons in recent memory.
Fear was increased after the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), issued a new warning last week in Abuja, listing Lagos as one of the states most at danger of severe floods in its 2025 Annual Floods Outlook.
Residents of flooding-prone communities, especially those on Lagos Island, Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Ajah, were urged by the event’s host, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Prof. Joseph Utsev, to brace themselves for severe flooding brought on by heavy rainfall, rising sea levels, and overburdened urban drainage infrastructure.
This fear is not new to many Lagos residents, as the city, which is perilously located on the Atlantic coast, has seen numerous water disasters over the years, causing property damage, business paralysis, and the displacement of numerous families.
The pattern began in 2012, when heavy rains in July caused Lagos to experience severe flooding, completely submerging major streets like Ahmadu Bello Way, Ozumba Mbadiwe, and Marina on the Island, forcing businesses to close and leaving both pedestrians and cars stranded in waist-deep water for hours.
One of the worst flooding disasters in the state’s history occurred during that year. Homes in Ikoyi, Lekki Phase 1, Victoria Island, and portions of Ajah were submerged by water that year.
Several roads became inaccessible, and residents had to wade through waist-deep water. The disaster destroyed properties valued at millions of naira, and many people were forced to relocate.
Following the warning from NIHSA, Lagos residents have voiced serious worries about the impending flooding threat.
In an interview with news correspondents, Funmi Adebayo, a civil worker and Lekki phase 1 resident, stated “We live in fear every time the rains come”
“Last year, water flooded my sitting room and destroyed my furniture. I had to replace household items worth over N2 million. These annual warnings only remind us of our helplessness.”
In response to the increasing tension, the Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its readiness to handle the expected downpours, especially in the island’s vulnerable areas.
Tokunbo Wahab, the Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, reassured residents during an inspection of the ongoing Lagos Island Urban Regeneration Project that proactive measures were being taken and that the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG) had been fully mobilized to work year-round, concentrating on clearing canals, desilting blocked drainages, and addressing areas that are prone to flooding.
Additionally, he urged residents to assist government functions by refraining from careless waste dumping, which exacerbates drainage obstruction.
“We are not treating this as business as usual. Our drainage clearing and urban regeneration projects on Lagos Island and other flood-prone areas are in top gear.
“EFAG teams have been deployed across the state and will remain active throughout the year to prevent disaster,”
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