Lagos Govt Urges Residents in Lekki, Ikorodu, Others to Relocate as Heavy Rains Persist

 Lagos Govt Urges Residents in Lekki, Ikorodu, Others to Relocate as Heavy Rains Persist

The Lagos State Government has urged residents in flood-prone communities across parts of Lekki, Ikorodu, and Ajegunle to relocate to safer, elevated areas, warning that the state is at high risk of flooding due to continued heavy rainfall.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said residents in low-lying areas such as Ajegunle (Ajilete axis), Majidun in Ikorodu, and some parts of the Lekki corridor must move immediately to avoid disaster.

“Epe, Mushin, and Ikeja are safe,” Wahab clarified, but warned residents in Isheri (OPIC axis) to also stay alert, noting that Lagos, being a coastal city, remains highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

He revealed that predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) indicate that Lagos will receive significantly more rainfall this year compared to 2024. He emphasized the need for those living in flood-prone zones to temporarily move to higher grounds until the rainy season subsides.

On Monday, several communities across Lagos were flooded following prolonged rainfall that began Sunday night and lasted till evening the next day. Viral videos showed submerged streets, homes, and vehicles, as clogged drainage systems failed to manage the overflow, disrupting daily life and economic activities.

While assuring residents that the government is intensifying efforts to clear drainages and expand water channels, Wahab called for calm and responsibility among citizens.

“We won’t deceive Lagosians. Flash floods will happen. But our job is to provide resilient infrastructure and reduce the impact,” he said. “When nature acts, we can only mitigate.”