Lagos State inhabitants are voicing their frustration online following widespread flooding that has inundated various regions of the state. Continuous rainfall, which began on Sunday, has led to mass displacement, the closure of schools, and the suspension of business operations.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the African Democratic Congress gubernatorial candidate for Lagos, criticized the state’s approach to infrastructure on X. He argued that the floods illustrate a failure to integrate waste management, drainage, and urban planning. According to Rhodes-Vivour, practices such as unregulated sand filling and the destruction of wetlands have made vulnerable communities susceptible to property damage and economic loss.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had previously warned of heavier-than-average rainfall for the year, specifically noting that Lagos’s coastal position and low-lying topography heighten its flood risk. Social media users have echoed these concerns, sharing videos of submerged streets and recounting harrowing travel experiences, such as being trapped on Ikorodu Road.
While some residents debate the impact of new construction projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, others are emphasizing individual accountability. Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, urged the public to stop illegal waste disposal that clogs drainage systems. He reaffirmed that the government is working to clear waterways and enforce development regulations, but emphasized that environmental safety requires cooperation from all residents.
