…NEMA Reports 191 Deaths, Over 134,000 Affected by Flooding Nationwide
As Nigeria braces for intensified rainfall in 2025, the Lagos State Government has issued a relocation advisory to residents in flood-prone communities, particularly in Lekki, Ikorodu, Ajegunle, and the Isheri (OPIC) axis, urging them to move to higher ground to avoid the risk of flash floods.
The advisory follows alarming forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), predicting more intense and prolonged rainfall in Lagos than was recorded in 2024.
Speaking on a live TV programme, Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, said the move is a proactive measure to safeguard lives and property, especially in areas already identified as vulnerable.
“Those around the Ajilete axis — Ajegunle, parts of Ikorodu like Majidu, and low-lying zones within Lekki need to relocate. This is about safety, not panic,” Wahab stated.
He emphasized that upland communities like Epe, Mushin, and Ikeja remain relatively safe and should be considered as alternative locations by at-risk residents.
The warning came days after a heavy downpour flooded parts of the state, submerging vehicles, homes, and major roads — scenes that quickly went viral on social media. Wahab, however, assured the public of the government’s commitment to tackling the flood challenge head-on.
“We have invested ₦15 billion in drainage infrastructure in 2024 alone. Projects are ongoing across the state, including the construction of major pump stations in Ilubirin, Agungi, and Kusenla,” he revealed.
According to the Commissioner, the Ilubirin station will have the capacity to pump up to 3 million gallons of water per hour, with similar systems underway in Maryland and Sheraton (Ikeja) as part of the government’s System 44 flood control initiative.
He acknowledged Lagos’ vulnerability to flooding due to its geography — being surrounded by water — but stressed that the state’s 25-year Flood Management Master Plan, reviewed biennially, remains a crucial roadmap for building long-term resilience.
Wahab also issued a stern warning to individuals and developers building on wetlands and natural floodplains, noting that such actions would face legal consequences.
“There must be consequences for bad behaviour. If the law empowers us to remove buildings on floodplains, we will enforce it — just like we’ve done with non-compliant clubs and commercial structures.”