Lagosians slam govt as heavy rains wreak havoc

Torrential rainfall over the weekend has triggered widespread flooding across Lagos, drawing sharp criticism from residents who blame the state government for the recurring deluge. Major roads and residential areas were submerged, leading to significant disruptions and damage.

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I’ve never ever seen Gbagada flooded in my life. And I was born and raised there. This is shocking.

Areas including Gbagada, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu Road, Ikeja, Maryland, Mushin, Ogudu, Lekki, Oshodi, Agege, and Alimosho experienced severe flooding. The downpour forced many commuters to abandon vehicles and trek long distances as commercial transport services were suspended. The flooding also extended to major expressways like the Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Abeokuta, Apapa-Oshodi, and Lekki-Epe Expressways, exacerbating traffic congestion.

Social media platforms were inundated with videos showing submerged roads, stranded vehicles, flooded estates, and residents navigating knee-deep water. One viral video featured a resident lamenting that her apartment, reportedly rented for ₦10 million annually, was surrounded by floodwaters. Another clip showed children being ferried through flooded streets in Lekki using boats.

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It looks like a place where a crocodile stays. I cried all night. Imagine I was not under mosquito net, mosquitoes would feed on my face. I kept clapping all night. It is super duper crazy.

Social media users expressed shock and dismay. One user, Morris Monye, stated he had never witnessed such flooding in Gbagada, an area he grew up in. Actress Cossy Orjiakor shared videos of floodwaters around her residence, describing the situation as "super duper crazy" and highlighting the struggle with mosquitoes. Former presidential aide Demola Olarewaju attributed the worsening floods to years of land reclamation and urban development, while another user pointed to poor waste management as a contributing factor.

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Sold so much land in Lagos then started sandfilling under the guise of flood control while building new luxury estates, now Lagos is with the worst floods ever in its history.