LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has said residents should expect continued flash flooding as a result of climate change and environmental factors, even as it works to expand drainage infrastructure across the state.
Speaking in a television interview on Monday, August 11, 2025, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab said the state had, over the past two years, cleaned more than 50 kilometres of secondary collectors and dredged or maintained about 38 primary channels.
Wahab referred to last month’s 14-hour torrential rainfall in parts of Ikorodu, noting that immediate remedial measures were taken.
He said a contractor working in the downstream area had temporarily dammed water to allow construction but was ordered to release it once rains began to enable stormwater to recede.
The commissioner said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had issued an early forecast in March, prompting the ministry to begin a flood-awareness campaign in April.
Communities in low-lying areas such as Agboyi, Agiliti, Itowolo and Ajegunle were advised to relocate temporarily to higher ground during peak flooding.
According to Wahab, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang has cleaned approximately 666,000 metres of drainage systems and manholes across all local government areas and local council development areas.
He stressed that climate change is driving severe weather globally, pointing to recent unprecedented flooding in other countries.
On infrastructure, Wahab said projects awarded in 2024 have an 18- to 24-month delivery timeline and that the government would prioritise quality over speed.
Temporary flood-mitigation measures, including pumping stations on Lagos Island, would remain in place until permanent solutions are completed.
Ongoing works include System 44 in Lekki, System 44A, and the three-phase System 1 (Odo–Iyalaro) project, designed to channel stormwater from Ikeja, Opebi and Sheraton areas into the lagoon.
“We expected the rains and had resilient measures in place,” Mr Wahab said.
“We have been doing massive advocacy and ramping up drainage infrastructure statewide. We won’t lie to residents – flash flooding will occur, but we are working to contain it.”
