Several parts of Lagos were flooded on Monday after non-stop rainfall that began on Sunday night and lasted into the next evening, disrupting daily life in Nigeria’s busiest city.
Homes and cars were seen completely submerged in areas like Ijede in Ikorodu, as captured in viral videos. Residents in flood-prone zones such as Lekki, Eti-Osa, Ajegunle, Agege, Surulere, and Alimosho also struggled to move through waterlogged streets, made worse by blocked drainage systems and overflowing canals.
The flood brought trading and business activities to a halt in many areas. Motorists avoided flooded roads to save their vehicles from damage, while many Lagosians took to social media to call for help.
Similar Scenes in Other States
It wasn’t just Lagos that suffered. Heavy downpours also caused flooding in parts of Niger State, washing away farmlands in Lapai, Paikoro, and Mokwa. Just last week, eight communities in Adamawa State were submerged due to severe flooding.
Lagos Government Appeals for Calm
In response, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, released a statement urging residents to remain calm. He admitted the situation was tough but assured that the government had systems in place to manage flash floods.
Wahab explained that Lagos, being a coastal city, is naturally at risk of flooding—especially with the ongoing effects of climate change. He cited a new weather alert from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which warned of more rain and thunderstorms over the next three days.
“Some areas may experience flash floods because the drainage systems may not be able to handle the volume of rain,” he said.
He urged parents to watch over their children during the school holidays and warned residents not to dump refuse into drains, saying such actions worsen flooding and come with penalties.
To address the situation, Wahab said the state would step up the regular cleaning and maintenance of drainage channels across Lagos.
