THE RISING WATERS: Addressing the menace of flood in Nigeria with a focus on Lagos

BY TAYO SODIMU

Every rainy season, the same heart-breaking scenes play out across Nigeria. Homes submerged, road turned to rivers, businesses destroyed, lives lost, and families displaced. Nowhere is this crisis more visible and devastating than in Lagos State – Nigeria’s economic heartbeat.

Flooding is no longer just “rainfall” it is a national emergency that demands urgent, coordinated, and decisive action from government, and a change of attitude from the public.

The Scale Of The Problem: Why Lagos Is At The Frontline

Lagos is the most vulnerable state in Nigeria to flood because of its geography, rapid urbanisation, and climate change. Billions in property damage yearly, loss of lives, and disease outbreaks are the result.

Major Causes

Blocked and poor drainage, indiscriminate waste disposal, building on waterways, poor town planning, climate change, and inadequate early warning systems.

The Attitude Of The Public

Dumping of refuse in drains, trading on drainage channels, “it won’t affect me” mentality, and vandalising drainage covers. A blocked drain in your street can flood an entire community.

The Human Cost

Loss of homes, economic losses, health crisis, and trauma. Many families are now saying: “We may have to leave Lagos ” *No nation can develop when its people live in fear of rain.

What The Government Must Do Now

Emergency dredging and expansion of canals.Strict enforcement of building laws on waterways. Integrated waste management and sanctions for dumpers.

Climate adaptation infrastructure, like pumping stations. Public early warning system. Planned resettlement with compensation. Interstate collaboration on dams and water release.

What The Public Must Do

Stop blocking drains. Proper waste disposal.  Obey planning laws and Community monitoring.

Conclusion

We cannot control the rain, but we can control our drains, our planning, and our policies. If we continue like this, more Nigerians will be forced to abandon their homes. But, if we act now, we can save lives and the future of Lagos.

#End flooding. Save Lagos. Do The Needful.