Floods: The worst is yet to come

Torrential rains have unleashed devastating floods across Lagos and Ogun states, leaving a trail of destruction and misery. Homes have been submerged, residents displaced, and livelihoods shattered as relentless downpours cut off roads, disrupted electricity, and damaged food supply chains. The worst-hit areas include Agege, Ikeja, Oworonsoki, Gbagada, and major expressways like the Lagos-Oshodi and Lekki-Epe.

Ikeja Electric reported that floods damaged power transformers, leading to blackouts in several communities. The Ogun state community of Ibafo, adjacent to Lagos, also experienced severe flooding, alongside other communities across the state. Heavy rainfall and flooding have also been reported in several northern states, indicating a widespread issue.

Amidst the ongoing deluge, Umar Mohammed, Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, issued an ominous warning: "As we speak now, with the flooding happening, if nothing is done, this is just the start of the rainy season... and it could be worse than what is even happening right now." He specifically anticipates conditions to worsen around August-September. The agency's "2026 Annual Flood Outlook" had previously warned that 30,707 communities were at risk, with 14,158 facing high flood risk. The report also highlighted that 4.2 million hectares of farmland, 4,792 health facilities, and 10,684 schools are located in flood-prone areas.

This year's events echo past disasters, with the National Emergency Management Agency's review identifying 2024 as Nigeria's most devastating flood year. That year, floods claimed over 1,237 lives and displaced approximately 1.24 million people. While 2025 saw a significant reduction in casualties due to coordinated actions, the current intensity of rainfall suggests a potential return to severe conditions, especially as governments appear to have relaxed anticipatory measures.

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As we speak now, with the flooding happening, if nothing is done, this is just the start of the rainy season, sometime around July-September (12 weeks), and it could be worse than what is even happening right now. And we’re expecting it to be worse around August-September, particularly August-September.