Persistent rainfall across Lagos has left residents grappling with flooded highways, severe traffic congestion, and rising transportation costs, forcing many commuters, traders, and business owners to adjust their daily routines to cope with the prolonged rainy season. The worsening conditions have highlighted the growing need for improved urban drainage systems and resilient transport infrastructure.

Many commuters now leave their homes before dawn to avoid hours of gridlock caused by flooded roads. Others rely on weather forecasts, navigation apps, raincoats, and waterproof gear to minimise disruptions to their daily activities. Residents also report that commercial transport fares often increase significantly whenever heavy rainfall occurs, placing additional financial pressure on households already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Motorists say prolonged traffic congestion during rainfall has increased fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance costs, while public transport users complain that transport fares frequently surge during periods of flooding. For many workers, the rainy season has become a daily challenge requiring careful planning and additional expenses to reach workplaces on time.

Traders across several markets in Lagos say the rainy season presents both opportunities and challenges. While sellers of umbrellas and raincoats have experienced higher demand, many market operators report reduced customer traffic, damaged goods, and lost income whenever heavy rainfall and flooding discourage shoppers from visiting markets.

The situation aligns with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)‘s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction, which forecasts a longer-than-normal rainy season for Lagos. Experts say the recurring floods underscore the need for improved drainage infrastructure, regular desilting of waterways, stricter enforcement of urban planning regulations, and greater investment in climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce the economic and environmental impact of flooding.

Urban planning experts note that addressing flooding in Lagos will require coordinated investments in stormwater management, road infrastructure, and sustainable city planning. They argue that strengthening drainage networks and preventing the obstruction of waterways will improve mobility, reduce transport costs, and enhance the city’s resilience to extreme weather events

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The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has issued a flood risk alert to residents of Gwagwalada, Mabushi, Lokogoma, and other vulnerable communities in Abuja, urging them to take precautionary measures as heavy rainfall continues across the Federal Capital Territory. The agency warned that persistent downpours could trigger flash floods, property damage, and disruption to transportation if residents fail to heed safety advisories.

According to FEMD, the affected communities are among areas identified as being susceptible to flooding due to poor drainage systems, blocked waterways, rapid urban development, and increased rainfall intensity during the peak of the rainy season. The agency advised residents living in flood-prone locations to remain vigilant and monitor official weather and emergency updates.

The department urged residents not to dump refuse into drainage channels, stressing that blocked drains significantly increase the risk of urban flooding. It also advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid driving or walking through flooded roads, as water levels can rise rapidly and pose serious safety risks.

FEMD said it is working closely with relevant agencies, including the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and emergency response organisations to monitor weather conditions and coordinate disaster response where necessary. Emergency teams have also been placed on alert to respond swiftly to incidents resulting from heavy rainfall.

The agency encouraged community leaders and residents to report blocked drainage channels, flooding incidents, and other emergencies promptly to ensure quick intervention. It further called on developers and property owners to comply with approved planning regulations and avoid construction activities that obstruct natural waterways.

Experts note that improving urban drainage infrastructure, enforcing development control regulations, and increasing public awareness are critical to reducing the impact of seasonal flooding in rapidly growing urban centres such as Abuja. They also urged continuous investment in flood management infrastructure and climate resilience measures to protect lives, property, and critical public assets.

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As Nigeria prepares for the 2026 rainy season, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, has raised concerns over the country’s disaster response system, warning that it remains largely reactive rather than preventive.

Speaking ahead of the peak rainfall period, Umar said Nigeria’s emergency management framework continues to prioritise post-disaster relief instead of proactive risk mitigation, despite growing threats linked to climate change.

According to her, while the 2026 seasonal forecast does not indicate widespread flooding, the risk of sudden urban flooding remains high—particularly in cities with inadequate drainage infrastructure.

She stressed that the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns, driven by climate change, means even traditionally low-risk areas are now vulnerable to disasters.

“The spotlight must now shift to the states,” Umar said, urging state governments to implement preparedness measures, including identifying evacuation routes, pre-positioning relief materials, and strengthening local emergency response systems.

She expressed concern that many states have yet to fully operationalise their State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), describing them as underfunded, understaffed, and lacking direct coordination with state leadership.

Umar revealed that NEMA receives hundreds of distress requests weekly from across the country, ranging from floods and windstorms to fire outbreaks.

“This is not emergency management. It is emergency charity,” she said, emphasising the need to move beyond relief distribution to structured disaster preparedness and prevention.

She also identified operational challenges, including the poor location of some NEMA offices far from disaster-prone communities, which delays response time during emergencies.

Security threats, particularly from banditry, further complicate response efforts, with emergency teams sometimes forced to suspend operations in high-risk areas.

Beyond logistics, Umar noted that effective disaster management requires trauma care, community engagement, and conflict resolution—elements she said are often overlooked in Nigeria’s current framework.

She, however, commended the Disaster Response Units of the Nigerian military for their effectiveness, describing them as a critical component of the country’s emergency response structure.

Despite existing challenges, Umar highlighted ongoing reforms within NEMA, including improved welfare packages such as hazard allowances and structured conditions of service for personnel.

She reiterated the agency’s commitment to building a more resilient and coordinated disaster management system capable of protecting lives and livelihoods.

Meanwhile, disaster management experts have called for greater transparency in the use of ecological funds allocated to states for environmental risk mitigation.

Labaran Saleh of Youth Against Disaster Initiatives criticised the persistent underfunding of SEMAs and pointed to outdated equipment within NEMA, some of which, he said, has been in use for over 15 years.

He added that delays in budget approvals continue to hinder timely interventions, limiting the agency’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies.

Experts argue that without significant investment in preventive infrastructure—such as drainage systems and evacuation centres—Nigeria may continue to face recurring disaster cycles.

As the rainy season draws closer, stakeholders say the urgency for a shift from reactive response to proactive planning has never been greater.

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