Lagos warns of heavy rains, clears illegal structures

The Lagos State Government has advised residents to get ready for more heavy rainfall and possible flash floods in the coming weeks. They urged people living in flood-prone areas to move to safer locations as authorities work hard to lessen the impact of flooding.

This warning comes after days of steady rain caused floods in many parts of the state. Roads and homes were submerged, disrupting businesses and leaving commuters and drivers stranded.

The latest advisory follows widespread flooding on Tuesday, which affected major roads and residential areas across Lagos. Areas like Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Maryland, Ikeja, Ikorodu, and Ajah were badly hit. The flooding disrupted commercial activities, forced many residents to remove water from their homes, and left commuters stuck for hours.

Many residents had to bail water out of their homes as the rain, which started on Sunday and increased on Tuesday, continued in some parts on Wednesday.

Despite the flooding, the government asked people to stay calm, saying they are taking steps to reduce its effects.

On Wednesday, during a visit to see the demolition of illegal structures on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said residents must support the government's efforts to tackle flooding and environmental problems.

Mr Wahab said the demolition, ordered by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, targets illegal structures and businesses taking up space on the highway's median.

Explaining the recent flooding, the commissioner said it mainly comes from flash floods caused by heavy rain and high tidal levels. This situation temporarily stops stormwater from draining into the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.

He mentioned that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted thunderstorms, heavy rain, and possible flash floods in Lagos and other states.

Mr Wahab also recalled that while presenting the state’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction, the government expected above-normal rainfall. Annual rainfall is projected to be between 1,650 millimetres and 3,030 millimetres. He warned residents to prepare for heavy rainfall and flooding during the rainy season.

“Flash flooding happens when the sea level is high. When it rains heavily, the stormwater cannot drain into the lagoon or its discharge point. It will hold back for about one or two hours.

“Even after the rain stops, within one or two hours, the water will go down because nature allows it to return to the discharge point. That’s why we call it flash flooding,” he explained.

The commissioner acknowledged that some areas still face ongoing flooding, mentioning Ajiran as one of the affected places.

He said some flooding issues come from illegal land reclamation by private landowners.

“There are one or two areas that have constant flooding, and we are dealing with them. Ajiran is one of them. It is not the government's fault, but due to careless land-owning families.

“We are extending the drainage channels to the lagoon. Those are the issues we are addressing,” he stated.

Mr Wahab also urged residents to dispose of waste correctly through their designated Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators. He warned that dumping trash on roads, drainage channels, and road medians makes flooding worse.

He advised residents to report PSP operators who do not follow the rules to the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). Waste collection contractors must provide timely services.

The demolition is part of the state's broader effort to enforce environmental laws that officials say contribute to flooding. Over the years, the government has removed illegal structures built on drainage paths and road setbacks. They have also warned against trading on road medians and dumping waste into drainage channels.

On the ongoing demolition, the commissioner said the government will enforce the ban on trading and other illegal activities on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway median.

He warned that anyone who goes back to occupy the cleared areas will be removed and taken to court.

“We need to see the level of compliance and the work done based on the governor's directive.

“We’ve marked the ground. It’s a major highway. Tons of taxpayers’ money have been spent to put this in place. In the past few years, we’ve been talking to them and moving them back.

“For now, this operation is to control it. Let the businesses have space and keep the median free for all road users,” he explained.

When asked about keeping illegal occupants away, Mr Wahab said enforcement teams will keep monitoring the area.

“We will continue to patrol and check every day,” he said.

He added that the wide median is reserved for a planned rail line and cannot be used for trading or other activities.

“It’s for the rail line coming this way. That’s why it’s wide and we have to keep it free for them,” he said.

The commissioner also pointed to careless waste disposal by residents and traders as a cause of flooding.

“Keep our surroundings clean. Let us use the PSP operators. If they are not coming, call LAWMA. Let them collect your waste.

“It doesn’t look good for us when people take waste from their homes and dump it on the median. It’s a polluter-pays policy, but some people are not even paying,” he stated.

Mr Wahab noted that the state government will keep enforcing environmental laws. He revealed that more than 1,000 offenders were prosecuted in the past year.

“We have been prosecuting. In the past year, over 1,000 people have been prosecuted. We will not hold back. That is what the law says. Once there is a law, you must enforce it and attach consequences for bad behaviour,” he said.