•Flooding in Lagos
The Lagos State government has urged residents to avoid actions that can cause flooding, such as indiscriminate refuse dumping, clogging drains with silt or construction debris, and building within or around drainage rights-of-way and setbacks.
This appeal comes after the prediction of early-to-above-normal rainfall and season-duration temperatures for most parts of Lagos from March to May in the year 2026, reports The Guardian.
The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, made the appeal today while addressing the media on the year’s Seasonal Climate Predictions (SCP), in continuation of the tradition of annually alerting the public to the patterns of the Y2026 predicted rainfall and its socio-economic implications for the state.
The commissioner noted that the prediction for this year is based on a projected weak La-Nina and a neutral phase of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
According to Wahab, 2026 is predicted to begin with a weak La Nina in January, while the neutral phase of ENSO is likely to persist during the first six to eight months of the year. It also suggests an early onset of the rainy season, a longer-than-normal duration, and a delayed end of the rainy season in Lagos.
As a result, above normal rainfall amounts are anticipated in the first peak of the rainy season, while normal rainfall amounts are expected in the second peak of the rainy season.
The rainy season is expected to start as early as the last week of March, with the season ending in the first week of December. Also, the predicted average yearly rainfall amounts are 1650 mm and 3030mm.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), on February 10, 2026, released this year’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), a forecast of expected patterns of rainfall, temperature, and other weather parameters across the entire country.
The briefing is conducted yearly by the state, in keeping with its proactive approach to informing the public about important climate information and preparing them for the expected impacts of the rainy season and other relevant weather events.
The commissioner stated that the ministry is working with NiMet on the annual Seasonal Climate Prediction, which has proven to be a crucial weather and early-warning tool for farmers, planners, decision-makers, and operators across sectors and businesses that could be affected by seasonal rainfall.
Wahab assured that the state will continue to reap the benefits of careful and rigorous execution planning as flood control measures are being stepped up to contain any imminent rainfall.
To ensure a flood-free and hygienic environment in the state, he said, the Ministry has embarked on an all-year-round drainage maintenance programme for effective and efficient flood control, in addition to a sustainable solid waste management system.
“To effectively contain flooding in our state, we are determined to maintain the long-established synergy and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Authority (OORBDA), which has ensured control and monitoring of the steady and systemic release of water from Oyan Dam to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River.
“This mutual relationship has been highly beneficial in the past, and we intend to sustain it,” he said.
Wahab stressed that the low-lying Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo, and Ajegunle communities in Lagos State are being closely monitored for the likelihood of flooding in the Ogun River and other river basins in the state.
According to him, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) have been put on high alert to make sure advertising and communication agencies comply with regulations on the safety of billboards and telecommunication masts to prevent the incidences of telecommunication mast collapse caused by the high wind speed, expected during the onset and cessation of every rainfall season.
“This puts all emergency response organisations, traffic management organisations, and other emergency-related organisations on high alert to help lessen the detrimental effects of thunderstorms and associated rains in the state,” he said.
Wahab promised to beef up the state’s enlightenment efforts to sensitise and advise communities in coastal and low-lying wetland areas to move upland, when the need arises, to avoid needless loss of life and property.
“We will also continue to protect our water bodies from indiscriminate discharge of solid waste as well as erection of illegal structures along the drainage alignment/setback,” he added.
He urged the public to join the government in sensitising Lagosians who reside along the floodplains of major rivers and drainage channels, such as Owode, Iwaya, Makoko, Badia, Ijora, Isaalu, Pota, and Shibiri, to always be on alert and ready to relocate to higher ground when the need arises. We shall, as usual, notify such residents at the appropriate time.
Wahab also urged motorists during the rainy season to observe the prescribed speed limits to avoid loss of life and property.
He advised Lagosians to report cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorised places to resident engineers and zero tolerance offices statewide.
