By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government has moved to ensure timely completion of various ongoing deflooding projects across the metropolis as part of proactive measures to mitigate effects of flooding in the current and subsequent years.

This comes as Federal Government released the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), predicting floods to hit Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi and 28 other states.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, disclosed this on Wednesday, at the AFO public presentation in Abuja, organised by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NiHSA.

Utsev acknowledged that early information saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure, and reduces economic losses, saying that, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving flood forecasts and preparedness, is the modernisation of the national hydrological monitoring networks.

He said AFO is therefore not just a scientific report, it is a call to action by all in terms of preparation ahead of the flood season, as early information saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure, and reduces economic losses.

However, the minister acknowledged that forecasts alone are not sufficient if the information does not translate into action at the community level, which he said his Ministry is working with other relevant government agencies to mitigate the impacts of flooding.

Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET and NiHSA are sister organisations working together to help the country in the management of floods.

Lagos deflooding measures

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Wednesday conducted an inspection tour of drainage projects and sanitation infrastructure in Obalende and parts of Lagos Island.

Wahab said his ministry is strengthening collaboration with agencies, private partners to mitigate the impacts of flooding as part of measures in ensuring flood free Lagos.

The inspection team, which earlier inspected Obalende Motor Park regeneration project, also visited: flood-prone communities in Apogbon and Olowogbowo on Lagos Island, where recent construction activities had triggered unexpected flooding.

According to Wahab, “Following the recent rains, we noticed flooding in Apogbon, which never used to happen. Investigations showed that ongoing construction had unintended consequences.

“We have engaged the Federal Ministry of Works, and corrective measures are underway,” he said.

At Olowogbowo, he described former conditions as “heart-wrenching” but noted that progress had been made since previous interventions.

The commissioner further assessed ongoing work on System 1 drainage channel, a major flood control infrastructure linking several parts of the mainland to the Lagos Lagoon.

He explained that recent complaints from residents in Sholuyi and Bariga were traced to soil displacement during construction.

“The nature of the soil caused underground movement when sheet piles were installed. That led to temporary blockage, but we deployed additional equipment to open up the channel,” Wahab said.

He noted that the System 1 project, first gazetted in 1974, remains critical to flood control across Ikeja, Maryland, Bariga, Shomolu, Oworonsoki, and adjoining areas.

“The ongoing works would significantly reduce flooding risks once completed.

“We are a coastal state. We cannot run away from that reality. But we must manage it. This project will help to mitigate flooding substantially across the mainland,” Wahab said.

The commissioner, however, disclosed that the drainage project is expected to be completed between 23 to 36 weeks, that is by next year January, 2027