The Lagos State Government has issued an urgent warning to residents in parts of Lekki, Ikorodu, and Ajegunle to immediately relocate from low-lying areas to higher ground as heavy rains threaten to worsen flooding in the state.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, gave the warning during a live appearance on Politics Today on Tuesday, stating that areas such as Ajilete in Ajegunle, Majidu in Ikorodu, and certain communities along the Lekki corridor are at high risk.
“Those around the Ajilete axis of Lagos, that’s Ajegunle, they have to move. Those around the coastline of Ikorodu; Majidu, have to move. Some areas around the Lekki corridor, too, not all,” Wahab said, urging people in Isheri (OPIC axis) to also remain alert.
The commissioner clarified that locations like Epe, Mushin, and Ikeja are considered safe from severe flooding.
Wahab noted that Lagos, being a coastal city, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted more rainfall in 2025 compared to the previous year.
“For those who stay in the lowland of Lagos, they have to move to the upland pending when the rain recedes,” he advised.
On Monday, prolonged rainfall that began Sunday night led to widespread flooding across Lagos, submerging homes and vehicles, clogging roads, and disrupting business activities. Viral footage showed residents wading through waterlogged streets while emergency workers helped evacuate victims.
Despite the rising concern, Wahab urged calm and assured residents that the state government is actively clearing drainage systems and expanding water channels to manage the flooding.
“We won’t tell Lagosians lies. Lagos will be exposed to the vagaries of climate change, and that means Lagos will have flash flooding,” he said. “But as a state, we have to provide resilient infrastructure, and we have to tell our people to be responsible.
“If nature takes its course, what we can do is to mitigate its impact,” Wahab added.
