I WAS ON THEIR HIT LIST — DEFENCE MINISTER SPEAKS ON FAILED TINUBU COUP

By Adeola Shittu 

Flooding has once again emerged as a major environmental and humanitarian challenge in Lagos State and several other parts of Nigeria, displacing residents, damaging property, and disrupting economic activities. With climate change intensifying rainfall patterns and rapid urbanisation overwhelming existing infrastructure, floods have moved from being seasonal inconveniences to full-blown disasters.

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, remains one of the most flood-prone states in the country. Heavy downpours often lead to submerged roads, flooded homes, traffic gridlock, and temporary shutdowns of businesses. Low-lying communities such as Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Agege, and parts of Alimosho are frequently affected.

Experts attribute Lagos flooding to a combination of factors: inadequate drainage systems, blocked canals caused by indiscriminate waste disposal, land reclamation, and unregulated construction on natural waterways. As a coastal city, Lagos is also highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, which worsen tidal flooding during heavy rains.

The flood crisis is not limited to Lagos. States such as Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra, Delta, Benue, Rivers, Niger, and Kebbi have recorded severe flooding incidents in recent years. In riverine and agrarian communities, floods have destroyed farmlands, washed away homes, and forced thousands into displacement camps.

In some northern states, flash floods triggered by intense rainfall have collapsed buildings and damaged critical infrastructure. The ripple effect includes food shortages, increased poverty, water-borne diseases, and pressure on already overstretched emergency services.

Several underlying issues continue to fuel flooding across Nigeria:

• Climate change, leading to heavier and more unpredictable rainfall
• Poor urban planning and weak enforcement of building regulations
• Blocked drainage channels due to poor waste management
• Deforestation and land degradation, reducing natural water absorption
• Insufficient flood control infrastructure and maintenance

The consequences of flooding are far-reaching. Families lose their homes and livelihoods, businesses suffer losses running into billions of naira, and public infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals are damaged. Health risks increase as stagnant water becomes breeding grounds for mosquitoes and disease-causing organisms.

For vulnerable groups—children, women, the elderly, and low-income earners—the impact is often devastating, pushing many deeper into poverty.

Addressing Nigeria’s flooding challenge requires a multi-stakeholder and long-term approach:

1. Strengthening Urban Planning and Enforcement
   Governments must strictly enforce building codes and prevent construction on flood plains and drainage channels. Urban development plans should prioritise climate resilience.

2. Improving Drainage Infrastructure
   Expansion, desilting, and regular maintenance of drainage systems are essential, especially in high-risk areas. Existing flood control projects must be sustained beyond political cycles.

3. Effective Waste Management
   Public education on proper waste disposal, combined with improved waste collection systems, will significantly reduce blocked drainages.

4. Early Warning Systems and Emergency Preparedness
   Investment in weather monitoring, flood forecasting, and timely public alerts can save lives and property. Emergency response agencies must be adequately funded and equipped.

5. Community Engagement and Awareness
   Local communities should be involved in flood prevention efforts through sensitisation programs and community-based monitoring of drainage systems.

6. Climate Adaptation and Environmental Protection
   Tree planting, wetland protection, and sustainable land use practices can help absorb excess water and reduce flood risks over time.

Flooding in Lagos and other Nigerian states is no longer an occasional disaster—it is a recurring reality that demands urgent and coordinated action. While government intervention is critical, residents, private sector players, and civil society must also play their roles.

With proactive planning, responsible environmental practices, and sustained investment in infrastructure, Nigeria can reduce the devastating impact of floods and build safer, more resilient communities for the future.