Facility Focus: The Rain Doesn’t Knock

By Kenny Akintola

Lagos rain doesn’t knock, it just bursts in like, “Surprise!” One minute you’re cruising on Admiralty Way, the next you’re wading through “Lekki Lagoon.” But don’t worry the sharp facility manager has already thought about this, and probably has a pump running before you even find your slippers.

The rainy season in Lagos is more than just a weather pattern it’s an annual endurance test. From the Island’s glossy streets to the Mainland’s bustling arteries, no one is spared when the clouds decide to open shop. And as I said last year, this is the season where facility managers become part-engineer, part-lifeguard, and part-emergency commander.

How the Rain Hits Different in Lagos: Lekki, Ikoyi, Oniru, Ajah & Island Axis

Here, rain doesn’t just fall, it negotiates with the ocean. Low-lying terrain means water is always looking for a home, and unfortunately, estates make a comfortable guest room. A 20 minute downpour can turn Admiralty Way, Ajah Market Road, or Oniru backstreets into full-blown waterparks.

•   Facility Manager’s role:



•   Clear estate drains and coordinate with neighbouring communities to dredge shared canals.

•   Deploy standby pumps to keep basements and parking areas dry.

•   Install flood barriers or sandbags at vulnerable entry points.

•   Have a rapid-response cleaning crew on call.

G.R.A., Yaba, Ikeja & Mainland High-End Zones

These areas were designed with more order, but age and urban growth have tested their limits. Flooding here often comes from blocked street drains or waterlogged junctions.

•   Facility Manager’s role:



•   Schedule pre-season drainage inspections and clear-outs.

•   Trim trees to avoid storm-related power line damage.

•   Inspect and reinforce roofing before the first heavy rains.

•   Keep generators and alternative power sources ready ,storms don’t wait for NEPA schedules.

Surulere, Ogba & Busy Mainland Zones

Here, the streets are always active, so a sudden flood disrupts both homes and businesses. Surulere’s older houses risk rising damp, while Ogba’s mix of residential and industrial activity means drains get clogged faster.

•   Facility Manager’s role:

•   Educate residents to keep refuse out of drains (yes, it still happens).

•   Fit drains with grates or filters to reduce blockages.

•   Monitor known flood points and alert residents during risky weather.

•   Have plumbers and electricians on standby for storm-day emergencies.

The Rainy Season Commandments for Facility Managers

Whether you’re in a Lekki high-rise or a Surulere walk-up, these rules apply:

1.  Clean Gutters Before the Clouds Gather.

2.  Check Weather Forecasts Like It’s Your Favourite Series.

3.  Test Pumps & Backup Power Early.

4.  Communicate With Residents Before, During & After Heavy Rain.

5.  Handle Post-Flood Sanitation & Mold Prevention Quickly.

Strength in Numbers

We now live in an era of communal estates and this is a huge advantage. Facility managers in the same axis can collaborate to clear major canals, share pumping equipment, or run joint awareness campaigns. What one estate can’t handle alone, five estates can tackle together.

Final Word

Lagos rain will always be unpredictable. It’s as likely to greet you with a friendly drizzle as it is to send you Googling “how to build an ark.” But a proactive, prepared facility manager turns the rainy season from a disaster waiting to happen into a manageable, sometimes even enjoyable, part of city life.

So, as the skies darken and that first raindrop hits your window, remember the flood might be coming, but so is the plan. Till next time stay safe.

Kenny Akintola
Chief Facility Officer, EBS