Homes have been destroyed and livelihoods shattered across Lagos State, where over 57,000 residents have been affected by flooding between January and October 2025, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has revealed.
He said this while speaking at the 2025 World Habitat Day celebration in Ikeja, themed “Urban Crisis Response: Flooding in Focus.”
He was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin.
At the event the Lagos State governor said more than 3000 residents were displaced and over 6000 others directly affected by the floods during the period.
He stated, “As an aquatic state, flooding is a major challenge confronting Lagos. It is an environmental menace capable of widespread destruction.”
Sanwo-Olu added that over 57,000 residents were impacted this year, with homes destroyed and livelihoods disrupted, underscoring the scale of devastation across communities.
The governor outlined ongoing interventions aimed at mitigating future disasters, including sustainable land-use planning, resilient infrastructure, affordable housing, and the creation of green spaces.
He also emphasised strengthening early warning systems, upgrading urban drainage networks, and deepening collaboration with federal agencies, humanitarian organisations, and local communities.
Sanwo-Olu further urged private sector partners and investors to support flood-resilient projects such as housing, smart drainage, renewable energy, and mangrove restoration.
In August, SaharaReporters reported that flood submerged parts of the Ijede area in Ikorodu, Lagos State, leaving residents stranded and calling for urgent government intervention.
The development followed hours of torrential rainfall between Sunday, August 3 and Monday, August 4, 2025, which led to floodwaters taking over homes, streets, and vehicles in the affected communities.
In one of the viral videos shared on X by @tokunbo_wahab and @ChuksEricE, a woman was heard saying in Yoruba, “We are in Oko Ope in Ijede.
“Have mercy on us. This is our community. We can’t even enter the house, the flood has damaged everything. I’m not even wearing a footwear. Come and save us, today is 4th of August, 2025. Come and rescue people.”
Another clip captured a man lamenting the state of his residence.
“This is what I’m facing in my area in Ijede. From August 3-4, Monday morning, inside and outside my house is full of water. Big ocean. See cars inside water.”
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said in a post on X, “We have seen the trending video and fully understand the concerns it has raised.”
“I want to assure all residents of Ikorodu that the ongoing drainage project in that area, awarded by Governor #jidesanwoolu, is designed to provide a permanent solution to the problem.”
He added, “I have directed the contractor to immediately commence excavation work toward the discharge point and to prioritise the construction of culverts. The concrete lining, which is part of the broader project scope, will continue once the culvert work is stabilised.”
Wahab also apologised to residents over the situation. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience residents are currently facing.”
“This is temporary. What we are doing now is laying the groundwork for a permanent fix that will improve the quality of life for everyone in that area. We are committed to building infrastructure that works and endures.”