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Lagos flooding worsened by climate change, coastal geography, wetland loss – Tokunbo Wahab – EnviroNews
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Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has attributed the recent severe flooding across parts of the state to a combination of climate change, Lagos’ coastal geography, rising sea levels, and decades of wetland reclamation.
Speaking on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, during a Nairametrics X Space on the recent flooding, Wahab said Lagos remains particularly vulnerable because about one-third of its landmass is covered by water, while some parts of the state, including Lagos Island, Victoria Island and Ikoyi, lie below sea level.
He explained that many areas currently experiencing recurrent flooding were originally wetlands that naturally absorbed excess rainwater before being reclaimed for urban development.
“About a third of Lagos is water. We have lagoons, swamps, creeks and rivers, while some parts of the state are below sea level. Areas that used to be wetlands have been reclaimed for development, but those wetlands served as nature’s sponge. Their loss has environmental consequences,” he said.
According to him, the recent flooding was worsened by exceptionally high rainfall and elevated sea levels, which prevented stormwater from flowing naturally into lagoons and rivers.
“When heavy rainfall coincides with high tide, rainwater cannot discharge into its natural outlets. It is temporarily held back until the sea level recedes. This is why many locations experience flash flooding,” Wahab explained.
He noted that similar flooding incidents had recently occurred across several coastal cities in West Africa, including Accra, stressing that climate change remains a major factor often overlooked in public discussions.
“The big elephant in the room is climate change and global warming. Countries across the world, including London, New York, Tokyo and Amsterdam, still experience flooding despite investing billions in drainage infrastructure,” he said.
Responding to concerns over whether the flooding reflected inadequate government investment, Wahab argued that flooding can only be mitigated rather than completely eliminated because of Lagos’ unique geography.
“We can reduce the impact, but we cannot completely eradicate flash flooding. Even with the best infrastructure, coastal cities around the world still experience flooding.”
The commissioner disclosed that the state had completed hundreds of kilometres of primary drainage channels and thousands of secondary collectors, while also implementing engineering solutions such as pumping stations in low-lying parts of Lagos Island based on recommendations by Dutch flood management experts.
Wahab also blamed indiscriminate waste disposal for worsening flooding, urging residents to take greater responsibility for protecting drainage channels.
“We must address how we handle our environment. When people dump refuse into drains or ignore environmental violations, they contribute to flooding. Government cannot do it alone.”
Highlighting measures already taken, he said the state’s ban on Styrofoam food containers and single-use plastics had significantly reduced drainage blockages.
“The decision was difficult, but after banning Styrofoam, we saw remarkable improvements. We also moved against single-use plastics because these materials clog drainage systems and remain in the environment for hundreds of years.”
On illegal developments obstructing drainage channels, Wahab said many of the demolished structures lacked planning approval.
“Majority of the structures removed did not have development approvals. Public interest must always come before private commercial interests,” he stated.
Responding to complaints about poor waste collection in some communities, the commissioner apologised to affected residents and promised immediate intervention, noting that the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) had sanctioned several private waste operators for poor service delivery.
He also encouraged residents to report blocked drains, illegal dumping and environmental infractions, saying community participation is critical to improving flood management across the state.
“We all have a role to play. If you see something that threatens the environment, report it. Government and citizens must work together to reduce the impact of flooding,” Wahab said.
By Omowumi Abraham