Category: Sunday magazine

Lagos State faces recurring flooding challenges worsened by climate change, poor urban planning, and inadequate drainage systems. Despite government’s efforts like drainage projects, demolition of illegal structures, and resilience initiatives, issues such as waste disposal and unregulated sand mining persist. Thousands are displaced annually, highlighting the need for stronger community engagement, regulatory enforcement, and sustainable infrastructure. As heavy rains approach, concerns remain about the city’s readiness to mitigate the impact of flooding. Udeh Onyebuchi reports. 

AS the rainy season looms, concerns over Lagos, Nigeria‘s bustling commercial capital and its readiness to combat the perennial threat of flooding are once again at the forefront. The sprawling metropolis, home to over 20 million people, faces a complex web of challenges exacerbated by climate change, poor urban planning, and inadequate drainage systems. While state authorities have implemented various flood mitigation measures over the years, the effectiveness of these strategies remains a topic of heated debate.

A city under siege by water

For decades, Lagos has battled the recurring threat of flooding. The city’s unique geography—sitting on a low-lying coastal plain—combined with rapid urban expansion, has created a perfect storm of environmental challenges. Sea levels are rising, and parts of Lagos are sinking at an alarming rate of up to 87 millimeters per year. “It is a cause and effect thing,” warns Mahmoud Adegbite, Lagos State’s Minister of Environment and Drainage Services. “Every heavy rain season, the fight to keep the streets dry becomes more pressing, as illegal structures and blocked drainage channels conspire to worsen the impact.”

Indeed, much of Lagos’s flood woes can be traced back to poor urban planning and the relentless pace of development. In neighborhoods like Okokomaiko, Isheri, Ikeja, Ipaja, Lekki and Apapa, makeshift settlements have sprung up in defiance of planning laws. Residents, often at the mercy of nature, face not only the water but also the specter of demolition, as the government enforces regulations on illegally constructed buildings.

Sand mining: the hidden industry

While aging infrastructure and unplanned urban growth have long been blamed for the city’s recurring inundations, a less conspicuous menace is also at work. An unregulated and largely clandestine industry – sand mining – is rapidly eroding Lagos’s natural coastal defenses. Environmental advocates point to the rampant extraction of sand along Nigeria’s coastlines as a key factor behind the destruction of wetlands and natural buffers that once sheltered the city from storms and rising sea levels.

Recently, the minister of works, David Umahi, issued a stern directives aimed at curbing this threat. He mandated that approval for mining beneath bridges in Lagos State should be restricted to a minimum distance of 10km from the center of any bridge.

“Sand is being filled by ocean current, the piles we have in all our Lagos bridges are being secured by sand holding the piles, and so when you are harvesting this sand, they begin to go away from the piles, and so the piles are left with nothing holding it, which is very dangerous,” he said.

According to environmental activist, Desmond Majekodunmi, “By digging into the lagoon, you are causing erosion; you are upsetting the natural balances of nature. Whenever man intervenes and upset a natural balance of nature you are going to have a reaction.”

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Recent studies have shown that nearly 59 percent of Lagos’s wetlands have vanished in the past decade. “These ecosystems are our frontline defense,” explains Charles Adeniji, the Managing Director at West African Gas Pipelines Company (WAGPCO). “Sand dredgers are depleting the sand along the Iworo-Ajido-Badagry coastal area at an alarming rate, which is threatening the operation of the pipelines system and livelihood of residents in the area.”

As construction booms continue in upscale districts, the economic benefits of sand mining are pitted against the long-term sustainability of coastal protection and residents’ livelihoods, particularly among the poorer communities who depend on local fisheries and agriculture.

Government efforts and ongoing challenges

Over the past two decades, both federal and state governments have launched a series of ambitious projects to combat flooding. In 1999, the establishment of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) marked the beginning of a coordinated approach to disaster management, further bolstered by the National Disaster Management Framework of 2010. Lagos State, in particular, has invested heavily in physical infrastructure. Between 2006 and 2013, key projects such as the construction of 69 kilometers of concrete secondary stormwater drainage and the ongoing “Great Wall of Lagos” have sought to stem the flow of floodwaters from vulnerable areas.

Additional efforts have included the dredging and maintenance of 32 rivers, channelisation projects, and the demolition of buildings that obstruct water channels.

“When you remove structures that block natural water flows, you create a clear pathway for the rainwater to escape,” said Adegbite, defending the state’s tough but necessary demolition policies.

Yet, despite these initiatives, challenges remain daunting. In many parts of the city, poorly maintained and clogged drainage systems continue to impede water flow. Lagos State Waste Management Authority’s Muyiwa Gbadegesin acknowledges that improper waste disposal – especially the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels – is a major contributor to the flooding crisis. “We are transitioning to a more circular waste management system,” Gbadegesin remarked.

The toll on communities

The human cost of Lagos’s struggle with water is stark. Recent assessments by the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and NEMA paint a grim picture: In December 2024 alone, over 275,000 individuals in 48,403 households were affected by flooding across 14 local government areas. Areas such as Eti-Osa, Kosofe, Ikeja, Oshodi-Isolo, Ifako-Ijaye, Surulere and Alimosho recorded significant levels of displacement, with thousands forced from their homes as water surged into communities.

“In neighborhoods like Jakande Estate, where 2,000 people were recently displaced, the signs of distress are all too clear,” reports an official from NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Office. Many of those affected were forced into makeshift accommodations under tents or crammed into the homes of relatives, underscoring the urgent need for more sustainable housing and flood-resilient infrastructure.

A future in Peril

Looking ahead, the future of Lagos appears increasingly precarious. Climate models indicate that by 2050, precipitation rates could double, and by 2100, sea level rise might leave half of the city underwater. Experts warn that without further proactive measures, Lagos could face permanent displacement of entire communities.

The insurance sector too remains largely unprepared to manage these emerging risks. With limited products available for standalone flood risks and significant data challenges, insurers have been slow to develop tailored solutions that could help mitigate losses. Banks and investors have shown interest in such products to safeguard their loan books, but the high premiums and lack of technical expertise continue to be major roadblocks.

A call for collaboration and innovation

Despite the grim outlook, there are signs of hope. The establishment of the Lagos State Resilience Office (LASRO) in 2019 – a partnership between the state government and the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities initiative – represents a multidisciplinary approach to fortifying the city against chronic and acute shocks. LASRO’s mandate includes coordinating flood risk management activities, funding research, and developing policies that span the public and private sectors.

The need for a unified response has never been clearer. Experts insist that collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies is essential. The recent clashes between state and federal authorities over sand mining regulations underscore the urgent necessity for an integrated regulatory framework that protects both economic interests and the environment.

Community resilience and individual responsibility

Beyond government action and infrastructural investments, community-level initiatives are also emerging. Local sweepers and scavengers play a crucial, if underappreciated, role in keeping drainage channels clear of debris, especially during the heavy rains. Grassroots campaigns aimed at educating residents about proper waste disposal practices are gaining momentum, emphasising that flood prevention is a shared responsibility.

“Flooding in Lagos is a multifaceted problem,” explains a community organiser in Ikorodu. “It’s not just about the rain; it’s about how we treat our environment, the buildings we construct, and the way we dispose of our waste. Each one of us must do our part.”

Such sentiments are echoed across various neighborhoods, where local leaders are calling for stricter adherence to building codes and more robust enforcement of planning laws.

Preparing for the storm

As the next rainy season approaches, the specter of flash floods looms large over Lagos. Recent forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) have alerted residents and authorities alike to the possibility of early onset rains in several coastal states, including Lagos. The predicted high-intensity rainfall in May and June has spurred urgent calls for preparedness, particularly in light of previous episodes where heavy downpours led to gridlock on major thoroughfares such as the Third Mainland Bridge and widespread disruption of daily life.

In response, NEMA, alongside local emergency management agencies, has ramped up its early warning systems and disaster response protocols. Field assessments conducted between 1 and 6 December 2024 have provided critical insights into the immediate needs of flood-affected communities, guiding relief efforts that include the evacuation of vulnerable households, repair of damaged infrastructure, and temporary housing arrangements for displaced persons.

Yet, as officials scramble to respond to immediate threats, long-term solutions remain a pressing priority. “We must move from reactive measures to proactive, strategic planning. Investing in sustainable infrastructure today is the only way to safeguard our communities from the ravages of tomorrow,” experts assert.

The road ahead

Lagos State stands at a pivotal moment. With the combined pressures of climate change, unchecked urban expansion, and environmental degradation through activities like illegal sand mining, the city’s resilience is being put to the ultimate test. While significant investments have been made over the years – from massive drainage projects and coastal protection initiatives to the establishment of dedicated resilience offices – the effectiveness of these measures will depend on continued innovation, stringent enforcement of regulations, and above all, a collaborative approach that bridges the gap between policy and practice.

For many Lagosians, the coming rains are both a reminder of nature’s fury and a call to action. “We live with the constant fear of the next flood,” says a resident of Alimosho, whose home was recently affected by heavy rains.

“Though part of the Orchid road has been done but we are hoping that they will finish before the rain season starts.  We appreciate the state government for chasing and demolishing the shanties that majorly contribute to the flood in the area,” said an Orchid resident.

As the dark clouds gather on the horizon, the question remains: How prepared is Lagos State ahead of the rain?