The Lagos State Government has directed residents living in low-lying and flood-prone communities to relocate to higher ground following a fresh seven-day flood warning issued by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).
The advisory, which covers September 19 to 25, warned that rising river levels and renewed rainfall could pose a threat to vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure across the state.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, the government said the warning followed NiHSA’s latest flood alert, identified as NFA-2026-2022, which affects Lagos and 14 other states.
The government said it had intensified monitoring in vulnerable locations and urged residents to act early rather than wait for floodwaters to rise before leaving areas at risk.
Communities and locations specifically identified as vulnerable include Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri near the seaport, Ilaje Waterfront Jetty and Jetty Terminal B, among others.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the state was treating the alert seriously and had increased surveillance across riverine, coastal and other flood-prone communities.
“We are urging Lagosians, particularly those living in flood-prone and low-lying areas, not to take this warning lightly. When the signs point to danger, the safest decision is to move early. No property is worth risking a life,” Wahab said.
He advised residents to remain on higher ground until the peak of the rainy season had passed, noting that early relocation could help reduce the risk of loss of life and property.
Wahab said Lagos typically experiences a second phase of the rainy season from September, when increased rainfall, rising water levels and tidal influences could worsen flooding in vulnerable areas.
He called for increased vigilance among communities along the Ogun River and other major waterways, warning that rainfall upstream and rising levels in connected river systems could worsen downstream conditions in Lagos.
Communities named in the advisory include Isheri North, Kara, Itowolo, Ajegunle, Majidun, Ogolonto, parts of Agboyi and other settlements downstream of Isheri Olofin.
The commissioner urged residents in the affected areas to move to safer locations and remain there while the flood threat persisted.
According to the statement, the NiHSA alert warned that rising river levels could inundate vulnerable communities and disrupt critical facilities, including schools, healthcare centres, markets, farms and places of worship.
Wahab directed affected local governments, emergency management agencies and community leaders to activate early-warning and response measures. He also urged residents to move people, livestock and valuable possessions to safer locations where necessary.
He said the Lagos State Government would continue monitoring river levels, rainfall patterns and other hydrological developments in collaboration with relevant federal agencies.
The statement added that routine cleaning, maintenance and monitoring of drainage infrastructure would continue across the state.
Wahab also attributed part of the flood risk to blocked drainage channels and appealed to residents to stop dumping refuse in drains, canals and waterways.
He cautioned residents against walking or driving through flooded roads, bridges and fast-moving water, urging those in vulnerable locations to make temporary relocation arrangements whenever official warnings indicated an imminent threat.
The commissioner said protecting lives and property remained the government’s “foremost priority” and urged residents to treat flood forecasts as safety information requiring immediate action.
He assured Lagos residents that the state would continue to deploy measures to reduce flood risks and provide updates as the situation develops, while urging the public to remain calm, vigilant and responsive to official advisories.
