11/03/2026
Every rainy season, the same thing happens in Lagos.
A few hours of rainfall…
And suddenly roads turn into rivers, cars stall, businesses shut down, and homes are flooded.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Flooding in Lagos is not just caused by rain.
It is caused by the way we build, plan, and manage our city.
With a population estimated above 20 million, Lagos is growing faster than its infrastructure. If we want a flood-resilient city, we must address the real problems.
Here are 5 practical ways flooding in Lagos can be drastically reduced:
1️⃣ Stop Using Drainages as Waste Bins
Blocked gutters and canals are one of the biggest causes of urban flooding. When plastics, nylons, and refuse clog drainage channels, stormwater has nowhere to flow.
2️⃣ Enforce Urban Planning Laws
Many buildings today sit on natural waterways and floodplains. Once these natural channels are blocked, flooding becomes inevitable.
3️⃣ Upgrade Drainage Infrastructure
Much of Lagos’ drainage network was built decades ago for a much smaller population. A megacity needs megacity-level drainage systems.
4️⃣ Fix Waste Management
Thousands of tons of waste are generated daily in Lagos, and a significant portion ends up in waterways. Stronger waste collection, recycling, and environmental enforcement are essential.
5️⃣ Invest in Green Infrastructure
Cities across the world are using trees, wetlands, permeable roads, and urban green spaces to absorb rainwater naturally and reduce flood pressure.
Flooding is not destiny. It is a planning issue.
If government, developers, businesses, and residents all play their part, Lagos can become a far more resilient city.
The real question is:
What role should each of us play in fixing this problem?
Let’s discuss.
Nigeria
