The Lagos State Government has said it is targeting between 90 and 95 per cent success in flood control ahead of the 2027 rainy season. The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on Saturday during an inspection of flood control projects and disputed sites in Oregun, Surulere and Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi.
Wahab said the state had recorded between 75 and 80 per cent success in tackling flooding over the past few years, but was working to improve the figure through additional infrastructure and environmental policies. “The target is to move above 75 to 80 per cent, up to 90 or 95 per cent. That is why this governor and his deputy have been deliberate in all facets: putting resilient infrastructure in place and deploying the Emergency Flood Abatement Gang to work all year round,” he said.
He however said the state could not eliminate flooding completely because of its coastal location and the effects of tidal movements, heavy rainfall and rising sea levels.
“You can’t have 100 per cent success against flooding unless you want to play the ostrich. This state is a coastal state,” he added. The Commissioner also reaffirmed the government’s zero tolerance for encroachment on drainage channels. The inspection tour covered Odo Iya Alaro by Opebi Link Bridge, Modupe Johnson Crescent, off Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere, and Osborne Foreshore Phase II Estate, Ikoyi, where he assessed reported cases of encroachment and reassured residents of government’s commitment to safeguarding public infrastructure.
Wahab listed the ban on Styrofoam food containers and policies aimed at transitioning away from single-use plastics as part of measures to keep drainages free and reduce flooding. He urged residents to remain calm during flash floods, assuring them that water would recede after some time. The Lagos State Government’s declaration that it has achieved 75-80% success in flood mitigation and now targets 90-95% ahead of the 2027 rainy season is more than a routine government announcement. It carries deep implications for residents, businesses, urban planning, the environment, and the credibility of governance in Nigeria’s largest commercial city.
For millions of Lagosians who live in flood-prone areas like Surulere, Oregun, Lekki, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, and parts of Ikoyi, the announcement brings hope. Flooding in Lagos does not just destroy property; it disrupts movement, shuts down businesses, spreads diseases like cholera and typhoid, and sometimes claims lives. If the state truly moves from 80% to 95% success, it means fewer homes submerged, fewer roads blocked, and fewer families displaced during heavy rains. However, the Commissioner’s own admission that 100% elimination is impossible is important. It means residents must still prepare. People living close to canals and drainage channels should not see this as a reason to relax, but as a reason to cooperate with government directives.
The inspection at Odo Iya Alaro, Surulere, and Osborne Foreshore Phase II shows that encroachment on drainage channels remains a major problem. The government’s reaffirmation of zero tolerance means demolitions and enforcement will likely intensify. This has two sides. On one hand, it will protect public infrastructure and save lives. On the other hand, it may lead to conflict with residents and developers who have built on drainage alignments, some unknowingly due to weak regulation in the past. The implication is that Lagos must combine enforcement with clear mapping, public awareness, and fair compensation where necessary to avoid public backlash.
Flooding is expensive for Lagos. Every time major roads like Ikorodu Road, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, or Lekki-Epe Expressway are flooded, businesses lose billions in man-hours, goods are damaged, and logistics are paralysed. A 90-95% flood control success rate would improve investor confidence, reduce insurance costs, and make Lagos more attractive for local and foreign investment. It would also protect markets, warehouses, and small businesses that suffer most during floods. The ban on Styrofoam and the plan to phase out single-use plastics are directly linked to flooding. Plastics block drainages and worsen floods. If properly enforced, this policy will not only reduce flooding but also improve sanitation and reduce pollution in Lagos lagoons and canals.
It also means a change in lifestyle for food vendors, restaurants, and consumers who depend on cheap plastic packaging. The government will need to provide affordable alternatives, or the policy may face resistance.By putting a specific figure 75-80% now, 90-95% by 2027. The government has set a measurable target. This is good for accountability. Residents, journalists, and civil society can now ask in 2027: Did you achieve it? How was it measured? However, the government has not explained how the 75-80% success was calculated. Without clear data, some residents may doubt the claim, especially those who still experience severe flooding every year.
In conclusion, Lagos State’s target of 90-95% flood control success by 2027 is both ambitious and necessary. The claimed 75-80% success shows that year-round drainage maintenance, resilient infrastructure, and the ban on Styrofoam are yielding results, but the remaining work is the hardest part. Flooding in Lagos cannot be solved by government alone. It requires strict enforcement against drainage encroachment, sustained environmental policies, and cooperation from residents who must stop dumping waste and building on waterways.If the government matches its words with consistent action and transparent measurement, Lagos will not only reduce flooding, but also protect lives, businesses, and public health, and set an example for other coastal cities in Africa. If it fails, the target will remain just another promise, and Lagosians will continue to pay the price every rainy season.The future of a flood-resilient Lagos therefore depends on shared responsibility: government must deliver, and citizens must comply.
