Lagos Government Urges Immediate Relocation from Flood-Prone Areas as Heavy Rains Persist

The Lagos State Government has issued a renewed warning to residents living in low-lying areas such as Lekki, Ikorodu, and Ajegunle to evacuate to safer ground, as heavier rainfall is expected to worsen flooding in the coming weeks.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, urged residents in flood-prone communities to act swiftly to avoid preventable disasters. “Those around the Ajilete axis in Ajegunle must move. Likewise, residents near Ikorodu’s coastline, especially Majidun, and some parts of the Lekki corridor,” Wahab warned.

He also highlighted the OPIC area in Isheri as another high-risk location where residents should remain especially cautious. Meanwhile, he reassured citizens in relatively safer parts of the state such as Epe, Mushin, and Ikeja.

This advisory follows severe flooding on Monday, which resulted from relentless rainfall that began Sunday night and continued through the next day. Viral footage showed submerged homes, stranded vehicles, and major disruptions to commercial activities across Lagos.

Wahab noted that the flooding was anticipated based on forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which had warned of heavier rainfall in Lagos for 2025 compared to the previous year. “For those in lowland areas, temporary relocation to higher ground is necessary until the rains subside,” he advised.

Acknowledging Lagos’s vulnerability as a coastal city, Wahab said flash floods are a growing reality due to climate change. However, he emphasized that the state government is responding with long-term solutions including the clearing of drainage systems and the expansion of flood channels to reduce water buildup during storms.

“Lagos will always be exposed to the impacts of climate change,” he stated. “Our responsibility is to build resilient infrastructure and encourage citizens to act responsibly.”

While assuring residents of the government’s ongoing efforts, Wahab stressed the importance of community cooperation. “We won’t deceive Lagosians. If nature takes its course, our job is to lessen the damage — and we need everyone’s support to do that.”