Lagos orders residents in 13 flood-prone communities to relocate

The Lagos State Government has directed residents of 13 flood-prone and low-lying communities to temporarily move to higher ground following a fresh seven-day flood warning.

The directive follows an alert from the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency warning of possible heavy rainfall and flooding between September 19 and 25, 2026.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab urged residents in vulnerable communities not to wait until floodwaters rise before relocating.

The affected areas include:

Eti-Osa
Lagos Island
Oke-Ira Nla, Ajah
Kirikiri
Ilaje Waterfront Jetty
Isheri North
Jetty Terminal B
Kara
Itowolo
Ajegunle
Majidun
Ogolonto
parts of Agboyi

The government said communities along the Ogun River and other major waterways should also remain particularly alert because heavy rainfall upstream could cause rising water levels downstream.

Wahab said early relocation could prevent loss of life and property and urged residents to treat the warning seriously.

Authorities also warned Lagosians not to walk or drive through flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water.

Residents were further advised to stop dumping waste into drains, canals and waterways because blocked drainage systems could worsen flooding and slow the movement of floodwater.

The state government said monitoring had been intensified across identified flood-risk communities.