Motorists and residents were left stranded in several parts of Lagos on Wednesday after hours of heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding, bringing vehicular and commercial activities to a standstill.1 The flash floods, a recurring issue during the rainy season, submerged major roads and communities, leaving a trail of disruption and frustration.2
Areas like Maryland, Lekki, Ogba, Ikorodu, and others were particularly affected.3 Videos and images shared on social media showed commuters wading through waist-high water, while vehicles were seen struggling to navigate the waterlogged streets.4 In some areas, vehicles broke down, compounding the gridlock and extending travel times for commuters.5
Residents expressed their frustration, with many lamenting the perennial nature of the flooding.6 In Maryland, an overflowing canal on Olatunji Street cut off access to the adjoining Mende community, leaving people and vehicles unable to pass.7 Business owners reported that their shops were invaded by floodwaters, leading to the destruction of goods and property worth millions of naira.8
The Lagos State Government, through its Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has apologized to residents for the inconvenience.9 He explained that as a coastal city, Lagos is naturally vulnerable to flooding, especially during periods of heavy rainfall combined with tidal lock.10
Wahab also attributed the flooding in some areas to human activities.11 He pointed to illegal construction on floodplains and the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels as major factors exacerbating the problem.12 The government has warned that it will demolish illegal structures and obstructions that contribute to flooding.13
While acknowledging the government’s efforts in investing in drainage infrastructure and regular desilting, residents and environmental experts have called for more stringent enforcement of environmental laws and a change in public behavior to mitigate the impact of the floods.
