Connect with us


BIG STORY

Facing The Rising Waters Proactively: Understanding Flash Flooding And Lagos State’s Climate Resilience Strategy — By Babajide Fadoju

Published

on

In recent years, flash flooding has become a recurring nightmare for many Lagos residents. As skies darken and the heavens release torrential rain, what begins as a routine downpour often escalates into waterlogged roads, submerged homes, and disrupted daily life. While these events may seem sudden and random, they are part of a larger pattern driven by climate change, rapid urbanization, and poor waste disposal practices. Understanding the nature of flash flooding and the multi-faceted response of the Lagos State Government is key to building resilience and reducing the damage caused by such events.

Flash flooding, unlike gradual flooding, occurs swiftly after intense rainfall. Lagos, with its low-lying coastal geography, is particularly vulnerable. The city sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, crisscrossed by a dense network of canals, rivers, and lagoons. According to climate experts, Lagos loses approximately three meters of its coastline annually due to rising sea levels. In this fragile ecosystem, every rainfall event can potentially unleash devastating floods.

Recognizing this reality, the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has taken deliberate steps to manage and mitigate the risks of flash flooding. The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, led by Honourable Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, has implemented a range of proactive policies and infrastructure interventions to reduce the city’s flood vulnerability.

“Climate change is not just a global threat; it is our daily reality in Lagos,” said Commissioner Wahab at a recent media briefing. “We are seeing more erratic rainfall patterns, higher tidal movements, and more pressure on our drainage systems. But we are not folding our arms. We are acting.”

Building and Maintaining Drainage Infrastructure

The first line of defense against flash floods is an effective drainage system. The Ministry has maintained an all-year-round drainage maintenance program that ensures both primary and secondary drainage channels are routinely cleared of silt, debris, and refuse. In 2024 alone, over 666 kilometers of secondary collector drains were cleaned, and several primary channels were concretized to improve water flow.

One notable intervention is the construction of the Ilubirin Pumping Station on Lagos Island, a first-of-its-kind project in West Africa. “This station is designed to pump stormwater directly into the lagoon via an elevated channel,” Wahab explained. “It represents our commitment to building climate-resilient infrastructure.” Just Saturday of last week, the ministry completed the test run of the pumping station.

A X user, José of Lagos lent credence to the good work being done when he tweeted; “Rain fell for hours on saturday morning and the usual flooding at Aboru and Abule Oki was nowhere to be found.” He also said thanks to the commissioner and the state government.

In addition, the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang (EFAG), a special unit within the Ministry, has been deployed to respond rapidly to emerging flash flood hotspots. In the first half of 2025, EFAG cleaned and maintained over 166 kilometers of drainage across the state, focusing on dark spots and flood-prone areas.

Managing Waste to Prevent Drain Blockage

Another significant contributor to flash flooding is the improper disposal of waste. Lagosians often dump refuse into gutters, canals, and drainages, causing blockages that prevent the free flow of stormwater. This careless act is one of the key triggers of flash flooding, even after short periods of rainfall.

“We cannot overemphasize the need for behavioral change,” Wahab emphasized. “Government will play its part, but citizens must take responsibility. When you throw a sachet into the drain, you are helping to flood your street.”

To support waste management efforts, over 15,000 street sweepers have been deployed across the city, while PSP operators continue door-to-door waste collection. The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) works in tandem with these operators, monitoring service delivery and responding to black spots where waste accumulates.

Early Warning Systems and Climate Monitoring

Preparedness is key to reducing flood-related damages. The Lagos State Government has invested in a network of Automatic Weather Stations and River Gauging Stations located across the state, including in Majidun-Awori, Falomo, and Kara. These systems provide real-time data that informs early warning alerts to residents and helps the government plan flood response activities.

According to Wahab, “We are not just waiting for the rain. We are monitoring the weather every day. Our systems track water levels, rainfall intensity, and tidal movements to alert us when the risk is high.”

Public Awareness and Enforcement

Alongside infrastructure and technology, public awareness and enforcement play a crucial role. The Ministry has launched aggressive campaigns to educate residents on proper waste disposal, the importance of using pedestrian bridges, and the dangers of illegal trading on road setbacks and medians.

The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) regularly patrol flood-prone areas, arrest violators and ensure compliance with sanitation laws. Over 3,000 offenders were arrested for environmental violations in the past year alone.

“Enforcement is not about punishment,” Wahab said. “It is about deterrence. We are using the law to drive behavior that protects lives and property.”

In January 2024, the state implemented a landmark ban on the use of Styrofoam food packs, one of the most common items clogging drains. The Commissioner noted that subsequent drainage clearances have markedly reduced Styrofoam waste.

“We have also set July 1, 2025, as the date for full enforcement of the ban on all single-use plastics in Lagos,” Wahab said. “This is not just an environmental issue; it is a flood control measure.”

Why Flash Flooding Will Still Occur

Despite all these interventions, the commissioner has repeatedly warned that flash flooding cannot be eliminated, especially in a coastal city like Lagos. “During high tides, stormwater cannot discharge into the lagoon because the discharge points are locked up. This causes temporary flooding, which disappears once the water recedes,” he explained.

He added that global cities like New York, Mumbai, and Jakarta face similar challenges. “What we can do is reduce the duration and intensity of the flooding. That is what we are working on.”

What Citizens Can Do

Flash flooding is not solely a government issue. Citizens play a critical role in flood prevention. Sorting waste, patronizing licensed PSP operators, refraining from dumping refuse in drains, and obeying environmental laws are actions everyone must take.

“Lagos belongs to all of us,” Wahab concluded. “To build a flood-resilient city, everyone must be involved. Let’s stop blaming and start acting.”

Flash flooding in Lagos is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive and coordinated response. The state government, through its Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, has shown that it is willing to take bold steps to address the challenge head-on. From infrastructure investment and law enforcement to behavioral change and international partnerships, Lagos is gradually building the resilience it needs to withstand climate-related risks.

However, no solution will be effective without the support and cooperation of residents. As climate change continues to reshape our cities, the collective responsibility to keep Lagos dry and safe has never been more urgent. In the words of Commissioner Wahab: “We are treating this like the crisis it is, because we owe it to our children to leave behind a Lagos that is safer, cleaner, and stronger.”

BIG STORY

Two Criminals Who Robbed, Attempted To Kill Lil-Kesh In Lagos Arrested In Kano

Published

on

The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects linked to an armed robbery and attempted murder case in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna, described the arrests as a major breakthrough made possible through intelligence gathering and community collaboration.

According to Haruna, the suspects — Mathew Adewole, 25, of Na’ibawa Quarters, and Mukhtar Muhammad, 31, of Unguwa Uku Quarters, Kano — were apprehended on September 11, 2025, at Na’ibawa Quarters.

During interrogation, Adewole reportedly confessed to assaulting one Lil-Kesh, a resident of Bera Estate, Chevron, Lagos, on August 19, 2025. The attack left the victim with severe injuries, including a deep neck wound.

Haruna further disclosed that the suspect compelled the victim to transfer ₦2,120,000 from his bank account via mobile phone to Muhammad’s account.

He added that, in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Kano Command has been strengthening its intelligence network and deepening community policing to outpace criminal elements.

The police spokesperson noted that the suspects have since been transferred to the Lagos State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, praised the officers for their professionalism and acknowledged the role of the public in supporting police operations. He assured that the command will sustain efforts to maintain law and order across the state.

“The command remains committed to maintaining law and order, working closely with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to combating crime,” the statement concluded.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

How Police Tracked, Arrested Notorious Suspect John Samuel Who Shot, Robbed Gbenga Obama At His Epe Hideout

Published

on

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a notorious armed robber and alleged hired assassin, John Samuel, 28, at his hideout in Epe.

The suspect, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, was picked up on September 19, 2025, around 2:00 pm, after weeks of surveillance.

Report has it that Samuel — recently released from prison on August 18 after serving a six-year jail term for armed robbery — had, the same day, shot and wounded popular Lagos socialite Gbenga Obama at Gbajobi Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja. He then robbed him of a gold necklace and other valuables in broad daylight.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babaseyi B. Oluseyi, described Samuel as “vicious and notorious,” noting that he was known to shoot victims before dispossessing them of valuables.

Oluseyi said CCTV footage of the August 18 incident captured Samuel firing at Obama with an English pistol, before fleeing with an accomplice who waited on a motorcycle. Obama, who sustained serious gunshot wounds, has since been treated and discharged.

The suspect reportedly confessed to selling the stolen jewelry for ₦4 million — far below its market value. Police say efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of his gang.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohudare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their gallantry and assured residents that the suspect would be prosecuted after investigations.

The command reiterated its commitment to the safety of Lagosians, warning that “the state has no hiding place for criminals.”

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Road To 2027: We’re Ready To Join APC, Says Kwankwaso, Gives Condition

Published

on

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed readiness to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but only on what he described as a “strong condition.”

Kwankwaso’s declaration ends months of speculation about his political future and has heightened tension within the ruling party and the wider political space.

The former Kano State governor made the remarks on Thursday while receiving Buhari Bakwana, a former political aide to ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who visited him alongside APC members from the 44 local government areas of Kano State.

He insisted that any talks of returning to APC or merging with it must clearly define what the NNPP stands to gain.
“If you are asking us to join APC, you must tell us what NNPP will gain,” he said.

Kwankwaso maintained that while the NNPP was open to discussions, it would not accept being “used and dumped.” He reminded the delegation of his role in establishing APC in 2013, saying he and his allies endured political persecution at the time.

“We have gubernatorial candidates in all the states and full structures nationwide. What will you offer them if we join?” he asked.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.”

The former defence minister also recalled his frustrations with both APC and PDP in past alliances, accusing the two parties of breaching agreements.

“Eight years of APC under the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari gave us nothing, not even appreciation. In PDP, we asked for just a zonal party chairman, but they refused. We left peacefully, and today we are strong and have integrity,” he said.

His latest statement contrasts with his earlier remarks at the NNPP National Executive Council meeting, where he had pledged to remain with the party despite swirling rumours of his impending defection.

Reacting to Kwankwaso’s comments, the State Secretary of APC in Kano, Hon. Zakari Ibrahim Sarina, said the party would welcome him back if he abides by party principles.

“Kwankwaso can’t come to APC to control the party that has national spread. Remember, APC is not NNPP, which he established and controls,” Sarina said.

“We are ready to welcome Kwankwaso back to APC because his return is an added advantage to the ruling party. Another reason the party will be willing to have him is the peace and tranquillity in Kano. We need social and economic development in Kano,” he added.

Continue Reading


 

 


 

 

 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular