Lagos Floods Spark Relocation, Infrastructure Debate.

The recent heavy rainfall in Lagos has caused severe flooding, leading to the tragic loss of a primary six pupil and the collapse of a two-storey house. The Lagos State government responded by sealing off a residential building for improper waste disposal and urged residents in low-lying areas to relocate temporarily. Despite these efforts, the flooding has sparked a range of reactions from the public, with some expressing frustration over the recurring nature of the problem and the government’s response, while others highlighted the resilience of Lagosians and the need for continued infrastructure improvements.

Climate change poses threats to individuals, communities, and cities globally, with global conversations and scholarly debates exploring ways people adapt to the impacts of climate change, including through migration and relocation. Lagos, Nigeria, as a case study, examines the relationship between flooding events, migration, and adaptation. The issue of rainfall-induced flooding is more serious because Nigeria and Ghana lack the infrastructure to channel rainwater and surface-runoff water that exacerbates flood risk.

In Lagos, rising seas and more extreme storms put millions of people at risk of flooding. The demand for sand in construction materials drives illegal sand mining and erosion on the coast of Nigeria, degrading ecosystems and increasing flood risk. The Lagos State government has demolished houses that were blocking the drainage system, but the flooding has led to displacement and a call for massive infrastructure investment.

The current situation in Lagos highlights the need for a sound flood management policy, driven by knowledge of the frequency and magnitude of impacts of these floods. Reducing the severity of each component is the objective of flood risk management under the UNISDR guideline and idea of “living with floods”. The Lagos State government has taken steps to address the issue, but more needs to be done to mitigate the impact of flooding in the city.