The Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have agreed to strengthen collaboration on flood control, water supply and sanitation to prevent future disasters and improve the resilience of vulnerable communities.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this during an assessment visit to flood-prone communities and critical water infrastructure across Lagos State.
Utsev said the visit was part of the Federal Government’s nationwide assessment of water resources, sanitation, hygiene and flood-related challenges across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Lagos is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa, and whatever affects Lagos has significant implications for Nigeria and the African continent,” the minister said.
He said the assessment would help the government identify areas requiring urgent intervention and strengthen collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Lagos State Government, development partners and the private sector.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believes strongly in collaboration,” Utsev said.
“We will continue to engage the Lagos State Government, the private sector, and development partners to develop sustainable mechanisms that will address the challenges we have observed and improve the living conditions of the people.”
The minister commended the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority for their efforts to mitigate flooding and improve water resources management.
He, however, identified indiscriminate waste disposal into drainage channels as a major contributor to urban flooding and urged residents to support government efforts.
“Indiscriminate waste disposal into drainage channels remains a major contributor to urban flooding,” Utsev said.
“I appeal to residents to support government efforts by protecting drainage infrastructure and maintaining a clean environment.”
Utsev also praised the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station, describing it as an innovative approach to flood management.
“The Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station is a practical engineering solution designed to channel excess floodwater into the lagoon,” he said.
He added that the initiative “deserves greater support and replication where necessary.”
The minister said the Federal Government would not rush into implementing additional projects without proper technical assessments.
“Comprehensive engineering assessments and detailed designs will be undertaken before determining the scope, cost and implementation timeline of additional interventions,” he said.
He added that the government would explore the possibility of integrating hydropower generation into future water infrastructure projects where technically feasible.
“Where technically feasible, opportunities for integrating hydropower generation into future water infrastructure projects will also be explored,” Utsev said.
“This can create employment opportunities while improving the sustainability of our infrastructure.”
The Director-General of NIHSA, Arc. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said scientific forecasts and hydrological data remained central to the Federal Government’s flood mitigation efforts.
He said the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook had projected above-normal rainfall across several parts of the country.
“The 2026 Annual Flood Outlook projected above-normal rainfall across many parts of the country,” Mohammed said.
He warned that continued rainfall could lead to additional flooding because of climate variability and changing hydrological patterns.
“While the Government is not hoping for further flooding, the prevailing climatic conditions require sustained vigilance, continuous early warning dissemination, and proactive responses from all stakeholders,” he said.
Mohammed urged stakeholders to take flood forecasts seriously and act early to minimise the impact of flooding on communities.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the state government had issued early warning advisories ahead of the rainy season based on forecasts from relevant agencies.
“We have issued several early warning advisories ahead of the rainy season using forecasts from relevant agencies, including NiMet and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority,” he said.
Rotimi-Akodu said vulnerable communities had also been sensitised through conventional and digital media platforms to prepare for possible flooding.
He said Lagos would continue to invest in innovative flood management infrastructure.
“The Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station has significantly reduced flooding in parts of Lagos Island,” he said.
Rotimi-Akodu welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention, particularly in areas where flooding affects communities across state boundaries.
“Where flooding affects communities across state boundaries, collaboration between the Federal Government and Lagos State becomes very important,” he said.
He expressed confidence that stronger cooperation would accelerate the delivery of lasting solutions to flooding in the state.
A resident of Ilo-Awela in Alimosho Local Government Area, Mr Lawal Sunday, commended the Lagos State Government for previous erosion-control interventions.
“We appreciate the Lagos State Government for the interventions it has carried out in our community,” Sunday said.
He appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the construction of the proposed bridge serving the community.
“The bridge will significantly improve access, reduce hardship and enhance the quality of life of residents,” he said.
Sunday also called for sustained public enlightenment to discourage residents from dumping refuse into drainage channels.
“We need continuous public enlightenment because indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels makes the flooding situation worse,” he said.
During the assessment tour, the minister, his delegation and senior Lagos State officials visited the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station on Lagos Island; Signal Barracks Primary Drainage Channel in Ajegunle; System 5 Drainage Channel in Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area; Ilo-Awela River in Alimosho Local Government Area; the Public Toilet to End Open Defecation at Orile Iganmu; and the Ogombo River along the Lagos Coastal Highway corridor.