Heavy flooding across parts of Lagos has triggered a fresh enforcement drive, with the state government ordering the demolition of buildings and structures found to be blocking drainage channels and waterways in Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota.
The move, announced on Monday, forms part of efforts to restore free flow of stormwater and reduce the persistent flooding that has continued to affect residents in the Lekki corridor following days of intense rainfall.
The Lagos State Government disclosed the decision in a statement released through its official Facebook page, noting that the exercise would include reopening blocked drainage channels and removing structures encroaching on canal alignments and drainage rights of way.
Speaking after an inspection of critical drainage infrastructure and ongoing flood control projects in Lekki, Agungi, Ikota and Ajiran, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said investigations uncovered a major obstruction at the Ajiran outfall channel.
According to him, despite the completion of major drainage infrastructure in Agungi more than two years ago, flooding persisted because the outlet channel designed to discharge stormwater into the Lagos Lagoon had been blocked.
“The Lagos State Government has declared that it will immediately remove all illegal structures obstructing canals and drainage channels’ right of way along Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota areas of the State,” the statement said.
Wahab alleged that a land-owning family illegally obstructed the outlet of a primary drainage channel leading into the Lagos Lagoon, preventing floodwater from flowing out of the community as originally designed.
He explained that the drainage infrastructure relied on gravity to discharge stormwater into the lagoon and warned that any blockage would significantly reduce its effectiveness.
The Commissioner said the government had directed the immediate reopening of the blocked channel in the overriding public interest.
While reaffirming the government’s respect for land ownership rights and Certificates of Occupancy, Wahab stressed that no individual or family has the authority to obstruct public drainage systems or natural waterways.
He added that the flooding being experienced in Agungi and Ajiran is directly linked to a dedicated drainage channel that conveys stormwater through Chevron Drive into the Lagos Lagoon, warning that residents would continue to face severe flooding if the channel remained obstructed.
Wahab also disclosed that officials inspected Megamond Estate in Ikota, where developers were allegedly found to have reclaimed part of the Ikota River and commenced construction without obtaining the required environmental and drainage approvals.
According to him, enforcement and abatement notices had earlier been issued to the developers but were ignored, adding that structures built on reclaimed drainage alignments would be demolished.
He reiterated that developers undertaking projects on wetlands or water-related sites must secure an Environmental Impact Assessment and, where necessary, Wetland Clearance from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources before commencing work.
The Commissioner warned that the government would continue to remove illegal developments and reclamations that violate environmental regulations, while urging residents to report blocked drainage channels and other environmental infractions.
Providing further context, Wahab recalled that in July 2025 the State attributed flash flooding in several parts of Lagos to a natural phenomenon known as tidal lock-up, caused by high tide levels from the Atlantic Ocean and the Lagos Lagoon.
According to him, the elevated tide temporarily prevented stormwater from draining into the sea, causing rainwater to accumulate in several low-lying communities.
He also cautioned residents against dumping refuse into gutters and drainage channels, noting that such practices obstruct water flow and worsen flooding.
In September 2025, the Lagos State Government unveiled plans to integrate estate lakes, canals and pumping systems into a city-wide flood management framework expected to be implemented within 24 months.
The initiative aims to create a Blue-Green Network linking canals, estate lakes and green corridors to temporarily retain and gradually release rainwater during periods of heavy rainfall.
The medium-term strategy also includes the installation of flap gates and pilot pumps at flood-prone outfalls, stricter enforcement of canal setbacks, restoration of wetlands and the introduction of building regulations requiring major developments to include on-site rainwater retention systems.
Earlier in June 2026, the National Economic Council approved ₦83.2 billion under the Anticipatory Action Task Force to mitigate the impact of expected flooding and other climate-related disasters nationwide.
The Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said proactive intervention remained essential in reducing the devastating effects of natural disasters.
The approval followed a report by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which estimated that Nigeria and other African countries lose about $12.7 billion annually to infrastructure and building damage caused by disasters.
The Council stressed the need for Nigeria to shift from reactive emergency response measures to proactive disaster risk management.
In 2025, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of ₦16.7 billion for the reconstruction of the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State after it was destroyed by flooding.
He also approved ₦2 billion in June last year for the rebuilding of homes affected by the Mokwa flood disaster in the State.
