Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has attributed the heavy flooding that paralysed parts of Lekki and its environs on Tuesday to illegal constructions on floodplains and indiscriminate waste disposal.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement via his X account, sympathised with affected residents while stressing that infractions worsened the flash floods.
The early morning downpour submerged roads, homes, and businesses in Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and neighbouring areas. Vehicles were trapped in rising waters, grounding both human and vehicular movement for over seven hours. Many residents could not reach their destinations until late in the night, with some stranded past midnight.
Wahab noted that as a coastal city, Lagos is naturally vulnerable to flooding—especially when heavy rainfall coincides with tidal lock. He said the government has continued to invest in drainage infrastructure, regular desilting, and strict enforcement of environmental laws.
Providing technical context, Wahab explained that at Kusenla, survey findings showed the downstream sits about 1.2 meters higher than the invert of the existing drainage, necessitating a state-funded project that includes a pumping station.
He further linked flooding around the House on the Rock church area to illegal reclamations, construction on floodplains, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains. “These kinds of activities worsen flooding and must stop,” he said, assuring that identified illegal structures and obstructions would be promptly removed.
While appealing for public cooperation, Wahab urged Lagosians to refrain from dumping waste into drains and avoid construction on floodplains. “The flooding was a flash flood in some parts of the state and has since receded this morning. The Ministry remains committed to strengthening flood management systems, but this effort requires the support and responsible actions of all residents,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) allayed fears of a wider crisis. Southwest Coordinator, Tunde Mohammed, said there was “no cause for alarm,” stressing that officers were closely monitoring the situation and that conditions remained under control.
