The Lagos State Government has urged residents of flood-prone areas in Lekki and Ajegunle to temporarily relocate to safer, upland areas such as Ikeja, as the city faces heightened risks of flash flooding.
Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, issued the advisory during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday. He explained that certain low-lying parts of the state, including sections of Lekki, Ikorodu, and Ajegunle, are at serious risk due to rising water levels following intense rainfall across the city.
“In the areas around the Ajilete axis — that’s Ajegunle — residents have to move. The same goes for coastal communities around Ikorodu, such as Majidun. Some parts of Lekki are also vulnerable depending on tidal levels and rainfall volume,” Wahab said.
He emphasized that upland areas like Ikeja, Mushin, and Epe remain relatively safe and encouraged residents in vulnerable locations to consider temporary relocation.
Wahab noted that the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier warned of increased rainfall this year, prompting early advocacy efforts by the state government. He stressed the administration’s commitment to transparency and preparedness.
“We won’t tell Lagosians lies. Lagos is vulnerable to climate change, and flash flooding is inevitable. But we are focused on building resilient infrastructure and providing timely information,” he added.
The commissioner also mentioned that the federal government has awarded a contract for the dredging of Ogun River channels to mitigate flooding, particularly in communities bordering the river such as the Isheri corridor and parts of Agboyi-Ketu.
