Preparing Lagos for the 2026 Rainy Season: A Proactive Path to Flood Mitigation

By Tolulope Oke

With the 2026 rainy season fast approaching, Lagos finds itself once again confronting its long-standing vulnerability to devastating floods. An infrastructure and urban development expert is urging the state to adopt a comprehensive, prevention-focused strategy that prioritizes resilience over repeated emergency interventions.

In an exclusive interview, Oluwabusuyi Adonis Fakanlu — an architectural technologist, author on sustainable urban development, and commentator on Lagos’ infrastructure challenges — described the recurring annual flooding as no longer an unexpected event but a predictable crisis that demands urgent, deliberate, and forward-thinking action.

“Lagos stands at a familiar crossroads each rainy season,” Fakanlu said. “Torrential downpours expose submerged roads, displaced families, damaged properties, and widespread disruption to economic life. Flooding has become a recurring challenge that requires more than reactive measures — we need prevention, true resilience, and accountability.”

He highlighted the unique characteristics of Lagos as a coastal megacity: rapid urbanization, extreme population density, and fragile ecosystems. While intense rainfall is unavoidable, Fakanlu stressed that the severity of flooding is predominantly man-made.

“The scale of flooding we experience every year stems largely from human decisions — poor planning, weak enforcement, chronically blocked drainage systems, and environmental neglect,” he explained. “Preparing adequately for 2026 must go beyond emergency responses and embrace long-term prevention and accountability.”

Strengthening Drainage Infrastructure

Fakanlu identified functional drainage as the cornerstone of effective flood mitigation.
“Many primary and secondary drains across the city are undersized, poorly interconnected, or perpetually clogged with silt and waste,” he noted. “Desilting and clearing operations must begin months in advance of the rainy season — not reactively during peak flooding.”
Beyond routine maintenance, he called for a modern, comprehensive drainage master plan that reflects today’s urban expansion. “New developments, particularly in fast-growing areas such as Lekki, Ajah, and Ikorodu, must mandatorily incorporate proper stormwater management systems, including retention ponds and correctly engineered outfalls.”

Enforcing Physical Planning and Development Control

One of the primary drivers of flooding, according to Fakanlu, is the continued illegal construction on natural watercourses and floodplains.

“These developments obstruct natural water flow, redirecting runoff into streets and residential neighborhoods,” he said. “Strict enforcement of planning regulations is non-negotiable. Authorities must resist political and commercial pressures that weaken development control.”

For existing communities in high-risk flood zones, he advocated humane, structured resettlement rather than temporary measures. “Resettlement programs supported by credible affordable housing schemes should be prioritized over short-term palliatives.”

Embracing Green and Nature-Based Solutions

Fakanlu argued that engineering solutions using concrete alone are insufficient.

“Nature-based approaches provide cost-effective, sustainable alternatives,” he stated. “Restoring wetlands, protecting coastal buffers, expanding urban green spaces, and promoting permeable surfaces can substantially reduce surface runoff.”

He emphasized practical climate-adaptation measures: “Green roofs, large-scale tree planting, and landscaped medians are not cosmetic luxuries — they are essential tools for adapting to climate change. As rainfall patterns intensify due to global warming, Lagos must begin designing with nature, not against it.”

Improving Waste Management and Public Responsibility

Blocked drains remain a direct result of indiscriminate waste disposal, Fakanlu pointed out.
“Plastic waste, sachet water nylons, and household refuse continue to choke drainage channels throughout the metropolis,” he said. “We need stronger waste collection systems, expanded recycling programs, and rigorous enforcement of sanitation laws — but these must be accompanied by continuous public education.”

He stressed shared responsibility: “Flood prevention is not solely the government’s duty. Citizens have a critical role in keeping waterways and drains clear.”
Early Warning Systems and Emergency Preparedness
Timely alerts can save lives, Fakanlu emphasized.
“Lagos must invest in localized flood forecasting, robust early warning systems, and real-time communication channels,” he said. “Effective collaboration between emergency agencies, meteorological services, and community leaders is essential to deliver accurate, actionable alerts to residents in flood-prone areas.”

He added that true preparedness requires proactive positioning: “Emergency response teams must be fully trained, properly equipped, and strategically deployed before — not after — flood events begin.”

A Call for Coordinated Governance

Fragmented institutional arrangements hinder progress, Fakanlu observed.
“Multiple agencies often operate in the same space with overlapping mandates,” he noted. “Lagos needs a unified flood mitigation framework that establishes clear accountability, tracks performance, and provides transparent public reporting. This would deliver better outcomes and rebuild public confidence.”

In conclusion, Fakanlu offered an optimistic yet urgent message.
“Flooding in Lagos is not an unavoidable destiny — it is a solvable urban challenge,” he said. “Preparing for the 2026 rainy season demands strong political will, professional planning, environmental stewardship, and active civic responsibility.”

“With decisive proactive measures, Lagos can break the cycle of annual flood crises and move toward a future characterized by genuine resilience and sustainable urban growth,” he concluded. “The rains will come — but whether they result in disaster or become a well-managed natural phenomenon depends entirely on the choices we make today.”