A torrential downpour on Monday crippled commercial activities across several parts of Lagos, leaving motorists and commuters stranded as floodwaters submerged vehicles and triggered gridlock on major roads.
The worst-hit areas included Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and Oworonshoki, where overflowing floodwaters rendered several roads impassable and forced many residents to abandon their vehicles.
Videos circulating on social media showed long queues of stationary vehicles, with some motorists trapped for hours while pedestrians waded through knee-deep floodwaters to reach their destinations.
Residents described the rainfall as one of the heaviest in recent weeks, saying it disrupted businesses, delayed movement and reduced productivity across Nigeria’s commercial hub.
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, reacting to the flooding along Bourdillon Road, expressed shock over the situation in a video shared on social media.
“Oh guys, see Bourdillon,” she exclaimed while filming the flooded road.
In another viral video, a frustrated motorist lamented the recurring flooding in the state.
“This is part of the menace we are experiencing in Lagos. Flash floods everywhere. I have been stuck in traffic for the past two hours. Everywhere is blocked. Cars are submerged and people are trekking through the flood,” he said.
Some commuters blamed the persistent flooding on ongoing construction linked to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, while others attributed the situation to inadequate drainage infrastructure.
A resident, Abel Kalu, who shared footage from Ikoyi, alleged that poor drainage was responsible for the recurring floods.
“This is Ikoyi, Lagos. There are no drainage systems on these roads, and that is why it floods anytime it drizzles,” he wrote.
Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the flooding was caused by a significant rise in the lagoon water level.
According to him, the lagoon had risen by about one metre, preventing stormwater from flowing freely through drainage channels into the lagoon.
“The flooding currently being experienced in some parts of Lagos is largely attributable to a significant rise in the lagoon water level, which has increased by approximately one metre,” Wahab said.
He explained that the elevated water level had slowed the discharge of stormwater, resulting in temporary flooding in some locations.
The commissioner, however, assured residents that the floodwaters would gradually recede as rainfall subsides and the lagoon level drops.
He urged Lagos residents to remain calm and exercise caution, adding that relevant government agencies were monitoring the situation and implementing measures to reduce the impact.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency’s Lagos Operations Office conducted a flood impact assessment in Surulere following requests for intervention from the lawmaker representing the constituency, Lanre Okunlola.
The assessment covered Orile, Coker, Aguda, Itire, Ikate and Ijesha communities to determine the extent of damage and identify affected households.
NEMA said several homes and business premises were inundated, causing damage to property, disrupting livelihoods and restricting movement.
The agency attributed the flooding to heavy rainfall, blocked drainage channels and poor maintenance of drainage infrastructure.
According to the agency, affected residents appealed for food items, relief materials and improved drainage systems to reduce future flooding.
NEMA expressed sympathy with the victims and assured them that its findings would be forwarded to relevant authorities to facilitate humanitarian assistance.
The agency also advised residents to keep drainage channels free of refuse, avoid indiscriminate waste disposal and promptly report emergencies to appropriate authorities.
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