Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos have narrated the hardship they endured after Thursday’s torrential rainfall submerged roads, flooded homes and disrupted movement across several parts of the state.

The affected residents called on the Lagos State Government to urgently address the recurring flooding, which they blamed on inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor maintenance of existing channels.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a resident of Ajah, Mrs. Rukayat, said floodwaters covered a long stretch of Muri Okunola Road, forcing commuters to wade through waist-deep water to reach their destinations.

“The water level was almost up to my lap. People literally had to wade through it to get home,” she said.

According to her, many motorists were forced to turn back, while others abandoned their vehicles and continued their journeys on foot as the road became impassable.

She added that tricycles were the only means of transportation available in some areas, but many broke down while attempting to navigate the flooded roads.

“The only way to pass through the water was by walking or using a tricycle. Even then, the tricycles broke down and had to be pushed,” she explained.

Rukayat said residents had repeatedly reported the flooding challenge to relevant authorities but little had been done to provide a lasting solution.

She attributed the situation to blocked drainage channels and poor water flow through a major canal serving the area.

“There is a big canal here, but I don’t know what is preventing water from flowing through it properly,” she said, adding that overgrown vegetation and sand deposits might be obstructing the channel.

In Mafoluku, residents also recounted how the heavy rainfall left streets and homes submerged, stranding many people for hours.

A resident of Agboola Street, Mrs. Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, said she was unable to return home after stepping out to purchase household items before the downpour began.

“I left my house to buy a few items nearby, but the rain started suddenly and flooded the entire street. I was stranded for hours because there was no safe way back home,” she said.

Another resident, Mr. Mukaila Idris, described the flood as both dangerous and frightening, noting that the strong current forced some residents to seek assistance before crossing flooded areas.

“The current was very strong. I watched people pay young men to carry them across the water because they were afraid of being swept away or falling,” he said.

According to him, only physically fit residents could move through the floodwaters safely, while many others had to wait for hours until the water level receded.

Mr. Williams Ekpo, who resides in the Eyinogun area, said the flooding extended beyond roads and entered residential compounds, causing damage to household property.

“The floodwater entered our compound and damaged some household items. This happens almost every rainy season, yet nothing seems to be done to address the drainage problem,” he lamented.

The residents appealed to the state government and relevant agencies to investigate the persistent flooding and implement lasting drainage and flood-control measures to protect lives and property during the rainy season.

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over flooding in several parts of Lagos as heavy rains continue to batter the state, raising fears of further disruptions and property losses if urgent interventions are not undertaken.

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Many houses and farmlands in flood-prone communities of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area and Ifite-Awka in Awka South LGA of Anambra State have been submerged following days of persistent rainfall.

The flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday, left several families stranded and forced many residents to seek refuge in safer and upland areas.

Residents affected by the disaster have called on the Anambra State Government to urgently intervene, warning that the recurring flood crisis continues to disrupt livelihoods, destroy property and threaten lives.

A visit to the affected communities on Tuesday showed widespread devastation, with homes, business premises and farmlands submerged. Some residents were seen evacuating damaged belongings, while others struggled to remove floodwater from their houses and shops.

In Ifite-Awka, several structures suffered extensive damage, including the headquarters of a Pentecostal church, which partially collapsed under the impact of the flood.

Residents blamed the persistent flooding on poor urban planning, indiscriminate construction and weak enforcement of building regulations.

According to them, developers erected structures on natural waterways, obstructing drainage channels and worsening the impact of heavy rainfall.

The District Head of Foursquare Gospel Church in Ifite-Awka, Rev. Sam Ufo, described the incident as the worst flood disaster experienced by the church since relocating to the area.

“Items destroyed by the flood include musical instruments such as pianos, amplifiers and electronic equipment, alongside important church documents and records,” he said.

Ufo explained that while the church had experienced flooding previously, the scale of the latest incident was unprecedented.

He alleged that some developers blocked waterways originally designed to channel floodwater into nearby canals.

“We identified that the major cause of the perennial flooding is blockage of drainage channels. Developers acquired waterways and built structures on them,” he said.

He appealed to government authorities to recover and reopen the original waterways to prevent future disasters.

Also speaking, Chairman of St. John Street in Ifite-Awka, Uzo Umejiege, lamented the repeated flooding incidents during every rainy season.

“One of the major causes of this challenge is the topography of the area. We are at the lower end of the slope and suffer severe flooding whenever it rains,” he said.

He urged the government to construct larger drainage systems capable of accommodating water flow from surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, residents of Ogidi community staged a peaceful protest on Monday to demand urgent intervention over the recurring floods.

Youths in the area displayed placards expressing concern over deteriorating roads, submerged farmlands and worsening environmental conditions.

President of Ogidi Youths, Chris Obi-Okafor, described the situation as a humanitarian crisis.

He said the flooding had destroyed farms, economic trees and businesses while also affecting movement within the community.

“Our children are unable to attend school whenever heavy rainfall occurs. The impact is becoming unbearable,” he said.

Obi-Okafor called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene and provide a lasting solution.

The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Alexander Onyido, also appealed for immediate government action to prevent further destruction and possible loss of lives.

An elderly farmer, Ndidi Nwacha, narrated how the flood destroyed her yam and cassava farms.

“I borrowed money at a high interest rate for farming this year. The flood has destroyed my crops and ruined my hopes,” she lamented.

Reacting to the development, officials of the Anambra State Ministry of Environment said authorities were aware of the situation and had intensified efforts to address flooding through drainage clearing, desilting waterways and community sensitisation campaigns.

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The Federal Government has announced a ₦6.3 billion intervention package in the form of interest- and collateral-free loans to 21,000 Nigerians affected by recent floods, in a move aimed at supporting recovery efforts and bolstering food security.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday at a roundtable marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, said the initiative will provide ₦300,000 each to beneficiaries over the coming weeks.

“This intervention is designed to support farmers and strengthen flood-affected communities,” the minister said, noting that the scheme aligns with the administration’s broader poverty reduction strategy.

Sununu added that the National Social Investment Program has already disbursed over ₦300 billion in Conditional Cash Transfers to more than 8.1 million households, contributing to improved health, education, and resilience among vulnerable groups. The program will continue under the President’s “Hope Agenda,” he said.

The minister also revealed a new collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) through an off-take scheme. Under the model, the government will purchase 70% of produce cultivated by IDPs, while participants retain the remaining 30%, ensuring a guaranteed market and immediate cash support.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, underscored the rising risks posed by climate change, conflict, pandemics, and technology-driven disasters. She called for a paradigm shift from reactive to preventive disaster management.

Umar unveiled two new policy frameworks: the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030), which aim to improve preparedness, resilience, and data-driven decision-making. NEMA is also developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to enhance early warning capabilities.

She further advocated for sustainable financing models, including catastrophe bonds, climate funds, and blended finance to support long-term disaster prevention and recovery efforts.

The high-level event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, lawmakers, development partners, and international agencies.

According to figures from NEMA’s 2025 Flood Dashboard, as of October 10, floods have claimed 238 lives, displaced over 135,000 people, and affected more than 409,000 residents across multiple states. At least 826 people have sustained injuries, while 115 remain missing.

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This appeal followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored on Thursday by Hon. Donald Ojogo (APC, Ondo), who raised the alarm over the growing humanitarian crisis caused by ongoing floods that began on July 1, 2025.

Ojogo informed lawmakers that 17 out of the 22 electoral wards in his constituency have been submerged, leaving over 15,000 residents displaced and nine individuals currently hospitalised due to flood-related complications. He emphasized that the extent of the damage required swift federal intervention to prevent further hardship and a possible outbreak of waterborne diseases.

The House also mandated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately dispatch relief materials to affected communities and provide temporary shelters for those rendered homeless.

Notably, among the victims is a prominent traditional leader—the Traditional Prime Minister (Tarabiritoru) of the Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom—who, according to Ojogo, was displaced from his residence due to the floods.

Lawmakers unanimously supported the motion, underscoring the need for a long-term erosion control strategy and sustainable support mechanisms to protect flood-prone communities in the Niger Delta and other vulnerable regions.

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According to a statement released by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, the relief fund is aimed at accelerating efforts to support victims of the devastating floods and driving reforms in the health and agricultural sectors.

This development follows the Federal Government’s recent establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund, designed to build resilience against natural disasters, particularly floods. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, emphasized that the fund would address threats posed by climate change and involve contributions from public and private sectors, as well as international donors.

The Gates Foundation’s $600,000 pledge is specifically directed toward flood relief in Borno State and health sector initiatives. In addition, a $5 million grant has been approved to develop Nigeria’s agricultural economics, particularly in industrial cassava, in partnership with the Lagos Business School.

READ ALSO: Emeka Offor Foundation Donates N200 Million to Support Borno Flood Victims

Vice President Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing health, nutrition, and agricultural development. “We are committed to addressing developmental challenges, especially the malnutrition crisis,” Shettima said. He also underscored the urgency of securing maize production sites under the Telemaze programme, with swift action promised on import permits for certified seeds.

“The cassava accelerator programme holds immense potential for our economy,” Shettima added, highlighting the government’s focus on digitization and public service reform.

Dr. Christopher Elias, President of the Gates Foundation’s Global Development Programme, expressed the Foundation’s deep concern over the severe flooding in Borno and reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria in times of crisis. He also pledged continued support for Nigeria’s health sector reforms, particularly the fight against polio.

READ ALSO: Zaria Flood Victims Plead for Aid as Authorities Evaluate Damage

Rodger Voorhies, President of the Foundation’s Global Growth & Opportunity Division, announced plans to scale up drought-tolerant maize production and expand the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator programme, calling it a “multi-billion-dollar opportunity” for Nigeria. He also requested import permits for 5,000 metric tons of certified maize seed to build a foundation seed system in the country.

Uche Amaonwu, Director of the Nigeria Country Office at the Gates Foundation, expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership, noting the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change for Nigeria.

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