The federal government has pledged renewed technical and strategic support to Lagos state to combat severe urban flooding driven by intense seasonal downpours and rising sea levels.
Joseph Utsev, minister of water resources and sanitation, spoke during a courtesy visit to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, at Lagos House, Marina, according to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Funmi Imuetinyan, on Thursday.
The commitment follows warnings from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) identifying Lagos and 32 other states as facing high flood risks this year.
Recent heavy rainfall has repeatedly inundated major highways, residential districts, and commercial corridors across the coastal metropolis, disrupting transportation and inflating daily transit costs for commuters.
Utsev, who conveyed the government’s sympathies over the recent flooding incidents in Lagos, said the ministry would work closely with the state to strengthen flood resilience through integrated water resources management, improved drainage infrastructure, better urban planning and enhanced institutional coordination.
Environmental experts and federal water resources officials note that the recurring deluges stem from a combination of localized climate change impacts, intense tidal surges, blocked drainage systems, and rapid urban sprawl encroaching on natural wetlands.
In response to the growing crisis, Utsev highlighted ongoing water sector reforms under the current administration, including the deployment of the National Flood Intelligence Monitoring System and a Multi-Hazard Flood Early Warning System.
The minister urged state and federal agencies to fast-track resilient drainage infrastructure, clear vital natural water channels, and reinforce community-level early warning frameworks to protect vulnerable urban populations throughout the remainder of the rainy season.
