Residents, Motorists Stranded As Flood Hits Lagos

Residents, commuters, and traders were left frustrated on Monday as flash floods swept through several communities and streets in Lagos State following intense rainfall that began Sunday night and persisted intermittently throughout Monday.

The downpour, which started around midnight, led to severe flooding on both the Island and Mainland, crippling trade and economic activities across Nigeria’s commercial hub.

Many residents took to social media to cry for help, sharing images and videos of submerged homes, vehicles, and streets.

Viral videos showed large swathes of Ijede in Ikorodu under water, with residents wading through floodwaters or stranded. In one clip, a woman in distress pleaded in Yoruba: “We are in Oko Ope in Ijede. Have mercy on us. This is our community. We can’t even enter our homes. The flood has destroyed everything. I’m not even wearing footwear. Come and save us-today is August 4, 2025.”

Another resident recorded his home completely flooded, lamenting, “From August 3 to 4, my house inside and outside is full of water. It’s like a big ocean. Look at cars submerged.”

Flood-prone areas such as Lekki, Eti-Osa, Ajegunle, Agege, Surulere, and Alimosho were among the worst affected.

Shops and markets in Ikeja, Agege, Maryland, and Oshodi remained closed as of 10 a.m., while many commuters were stranded for hours on flooded roads.

Residents called on the government for urgent action.

Modupe Akinbiyi from Gberegbe, Ikorodu, said, “We experience heavy flooding every rainy season. We have sent several complaints to the government and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources without result.”

Anthony Azubuike also criticised drainage maintenance, saying, “Authorities should monitor the drainage clearance properly. The waste removed is often left beside the drain and eventually returns to block it again.”

Reacting to the widespread flooding, the state’s Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, assured residents via his X handle that the government is aware of the situation and working on a long-term fix.

“We have seen the trending videos and understand the concerns. The ongoing drainage project in Ikorodu, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is aimed at providing a permanent solution,” he said.

He added that excavation work toward the discharge point would commence immediately, with culvert construction prioritised.