The Lagos State Government has directed residents living in low-lying and flood-prone communities to relocate immediately to safer areas to prevent loss of life and damage to property.
The directive follows a seven-day flood alert advisory (NFA-2026-2022) issued by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), covering Lagos and 14 other states.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab said the state government had intensified monitoring across communities identified as vulnerable to flooding.
Areas listed as particularly vulnerable include Eti-Osa, Lagos Island Local Government Area, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri Sea Port, Ilaje Waterfront Jetty and Jetty Terminal B, among others, according to a statement issued by the ministry on Monday.
Wahab said the government was treating the advisory with the utmost seriousness and had stepped up monitoring of riverine, low-lying and other flood-prone communities.
He urged residents in vulnerable areas not to wait until floodwaters rise before taking action, stressing that early preparation and temporary relocation could prevent avoidable loss of life.
“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 in flood-prone communities to move to higher ground and remain there until the peak of the current rainy season passes.
Wahab said Lagos typically experiences a second phase of the rainy season from September, with increased rainfall, rising water levels and tidal influences that can worsen flooding in vulnerable areas.
He urged residents living near rivers, lagoons, wetlands, drainage channels and other water bodies to remain vigilant and comply with safety advisories issued by relevant government agencies.
The commissioner specifically called on communities along the Ogun River and other major waterways to exercise heightened caution, noting that heavy rainfall upstream and rising water levels in connected river systems could affect downstream communities in Lagos.
He also urged residents of low-lying and riverbank communities, including Isheri North, Kara, Itowolo, Ajegunle, Majidun, Ogolonto, parts of Agboyi and other settlements downstream of Isheri Olofin, to remain on high alert from September 19 to 25.
The ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, said the NiHSA advisory warned that rising river levels could cause flooding in vulnerable communities and affect critical facilities, including schools, healthcare centres, markets, farms and places of worship.
Wahab called on affected local governments, emergency management agencies, community leaders and residents to activate early-warning and response mechanisms and move people, livestock and valuable possessions to safer locations where necessary.
He said the state government would continue to monitor river levels, rainfall patterns and other hydrological developments in collaboration with relevant federal agencies.
He added that routine cleaning, maintenance and monitoring of drainage infrastructure across the state would also continue.
The commissioner urged residents to support the government’s flood mitigation efforts by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of waste into drains, canals and waterways, warning that blocked drainage channels could worsen flooding and delay the recession of floodwaters.
He also cautioned residents against walking or driving through flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water and urged those in vulnerable communities to make arrangements for temporary relocation whenever official warnings indicate an imminent threat.
Wahab said protecting lives and property remained the government’s foremost priority and urged residents to treat flood forecasts as critical safety information requiring prompt action.
He assured residents that the state government would continue to deploy measures to reduce flood risks and provide timely updates as the situation evolves.
He urged Lagosians to remain calm, vigilant and responsive to official advisories.
