Lagos flooding halts traffic and business after heavy rains, with officials blaming poor drainage, illegal construction and waste disposal

Lagos Flooding brought parts of Nigeria’s commercial capital to a standstill on Wednesday after hours of heavy rainfall left homes, roads and businesses submerged.

Also read: Nigeria Flood Warning Raises Serious Concerns Across 29 States

Flood-prone communities including Maryland, Lekki, Ogba and Ikorodu were among the worst hit, with water overrunning shops, houses and places of worship.

Videos widely shared online showed residents wading through knee-deep water, while motorists battled gridlock as vehicles stalled on waterlogged roads.

The disruption paralysed business and transport for hours, stranding commuters across the city.

Reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, noted that Lagos, as a coastal city, remains highly vulnerable during intense rainfall.

He explained that flooding in Lekki’s Kusenla axis stemmed from a technical problem with the drainage system but said a pumping station was already being planned to address the issue.

Wahab further attributed flooding near House on the Rock church to illegal construction and indiscriminate refuse dumping, warning that such practices would no longer be tolerated.

By Thursday morning, much of the water had receded, according to the Commissioner, who urged residents to play their part by keeping drains clear and avoiding construction on floodplains.

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Despite repeated pledges and ongoing projects, Lagos continues to grapple with recurring flooding, raising fresh questions about urban planning, waste management and the city’s preparedness for extreme weather.