LAGOS, Nigeria – An ominous silence hangs over Nigeria’s commercial capital as predictions of severe flooding send waves of concern across coastal communities. With the 2025 rainy season approaching fast, Lagos is once again at the mercy of water — and many residents fear the worst is yet to come.
According to the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Lagos is among states at the highest risk of serious flooding this year. At the launch of its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja last week, NIHSA highlighted the city’s fragile position, pointing to a dangerous mix of increased rainfall, sea level rise, and overstretched urban drainage systems.
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has sounded the alarm, urging high-risk communities across Lagos Island, Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Ajah to take immediate precautions.
Flood Warnings Resurface Old Wounds
For Lagosians, the warning is both familiar and frightening. Each rainy season seems to carry with it memories of waterlogged homes, destroyed property, impassable roads, and sleepless nights. Lagos, perched low on the Atlantic coast, has long struggled with the dual challenges of rapid urban growth and environmental vulnerability.
In 2012, the city suffered one of its most destructive floods. Torrential rains submerged entire districts on the Island, including Marina, Ozumba Mbadiwe, and Ahmadu Bello Way. Commercial activity ground to a halt, while families were forced to evacuate in droves.
Since then, flood events have become nearly routine, with Lekki and Ajah repeatedly at the center of disaster reports. Even as infrastructure projects continue, many residents say they no longer feel protected.
Voices from the Frontlines of Flood Risk
“I don’t think people outside really understand how bad it gets,” says Funmi Adebayo, a homeowner in Lekki Phase 1. “Every year, the water finds its way into our homes. Last year, I spent over two million naira replacing damaged furniture and electronics. The rains feel like a punishment now.”
For Victoria Island resident Kennedy Terfa, the issue is not just residential — it’s professional. “My company lost critical equipment during a downpour in 2022. Servers were destroyed, files lost, the office had to shut down for weeks. We talk about economic development, but how do you build anything on waterlogged ground?”
In Oniru Estate, schoolteacher Titi Balogun describes living in a constant state of anxiety. “We don’t sleep well during the rainy months. I’m always checking the drains, watching the water levels. I have kids. It’s terrifying when you know a storm could flood your house overnight.”
Commercial drivers — a key part of Lagos’ economic engine — are also feeling the pressure. “Once rain falls, everywhere is blocked,” says Ayo Shonibare, who drives between Ajah and Victoria Island. “You can’t earn. If your car gets stuck or the engine floods, that’s a week’s income gone. And our roads just make it worse.”
Government Outlines Flood Readiness Plan
In response to the rising concern, the Lagos State Government has assured residents of its preparedness to mitigate the looming threat. Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has been touring high-risk zones as part of the state’s flood readiness campaign.
“We are taking aggressive action,” Wahab stated during a recent inspection on the Island. “Our Emergency Flood Abatement Gang has been mobilized across the city. They are desilting drainages, clearing canals, and identifying vulnerable points. We are not waiting for disaster to strike.”
According to Wahab, the Lagos Island Urban Regeneration Project is also being fast-tracked to modernize infrastructure and reduce flood risks in central business districts and residential enclaves.
But the Commissioner also stressed the role of public cooperation. “A major contributor to flooding is human behavior. When residents dump waste into the drains, they block water flow. We can’t keep fighting this alone.”
Urban Strain Meets Climate Reality
Experts believe the city’s flood challenges are not just the result of local mismanagement but part of a larger environmental crisis. As global temperatures rise, so do sea levels and the intensity of rainfall in coastal zones.
“Lagos is facing a perfect storm,” says Dr. Tayo Okonkwo, an environmental planner based in Abuja. “It’s not just about blocked drains. You have dense construction on wetland areas, disappearing green spaces, and a drainage system that wasn’t designed for this kind of pressure. Climate change is magnifying every weakness.”
Dr. Okonkwo emphasized that the city must start thinking long-term. “We need flood-resilient infrastructure — elevated roads, green retention zones, and smart drainage. But most importantly, we need to stop building in areas that should never have been developed.”
The Human Cost
Beyond infrastructure and government policy, the emotional toll of flooding remains high. For many Lagosians, the rainy season is a source of dread rather than relief.
“You feel powerless,” says Funmi. “You pray the rain skips your area or that the water doesn’t rise too high. But deep down, you know it’s just a matter of time.”
For families, business owners, and workers alike, the coming months may bring another test of resilience — or another chapter in a cycle of preventable disasters.
Conclusion: Hope or High Water?
As storm clouds begin to gather over Lagos once more, the city is at a critical juncture. With warnings already in place and the memory of past floods still raw, the coming weeks will determine whether authorities and residents alike have learned from the past — or whether Lagos will again find itself underwater, fighting for footing in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
