LAGOS, Nigeria — The Lagos State Government has warned residents in flood-prone areas such as Lekki, Ajegunle, and Ikorodu to consider relocating to safer upland regions, citing imminent flash flooding due to intensifying rainfall and the effects of climate change.
The warning was issued by Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, during a televised interview on Channels TV on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
His comments follow severe flooding in parts of Lagos earlier in the week that submerged homes and vehicles, particularly after heavy downpours on Monday.
Wahab listed Ajegunle (Ajilete axis) and Majidun in Ikorodu as high-risk zones, urging residents to evacuate temporarily to safer ground.
He also identified parts of Lekki as vulnerable, though the commissioner clarified that the severity in Lekki depends on rainfall volume and tidal responses, placing them in an “amber” warning category.
“Those around the Ajilete axis of Lagos, that’s Ajegunle, they have to move. Those around the coastlines of Ikorodu, around Majidun, they have to move,” Wahab said.
“Some areas around the Lekki corridor, some not all… because their tidal level depends on the volume of the rain.”
Areas such as Epe, Ikeja, and Mushin were identified as relatively safe from flood threats.
Wahab explained that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had forecasted increased rainfall as early as March, prompting the government to launch multiple awareness campaigns.
“We are going to have more rains this year than we had last year. And for those who stay on the lowland of Lagos, they may have to move to the upland pending when rain recedes,” he stated.
The commissioner also mentioned the federal government’s efforts through the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, which recently awarded a dredging project for the Ogun River to reduce overflow and mitigate floods along the Isheri corridor, which includes areas around Channels TV and Agboyi-Ketu.
Wahab emphasised that the government would continue to be transparent with Lagosians and provide infrastructure to reduce flood risks.
“Lagos will be exposed to the vagaries of climate change, and that means Lagos will have flash flooding,” he said.
“But as a state, we have to provide resilient infrastructure, and we have to tell our people to be responsible.”
This latest flood alert follows a federal warning issued to 19 states, including Lagos, between Tuesday, August 5, 2025 and Saturday, August 9, 2025, predicting flash and riverine floods in multiple locations.
Lagos remains one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable cities to climate change, facing threats from rising sea levels, inadequate drainage systems, and unregulated urban expansion.
Residents are advised to heed government warnings, stay informed, and prioritise safety during this period of elevated weather risk.
