Torrential rainfall brought commercial and vehicular activities to a standstill across Lagos on Sunday, as flash floods submerged major roads and triggered hours of traffic gridlock across several parts of the metropolis.
The heavy downpour, which began around noon and lasted until approximately 4 p.m., inundated highways and inner-city roads, leaving vehicles trapped in floodwaters while others broke down, worsening congestion across the state. Major routes affected included the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ikorodu Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lekki-Epe Expressway, and roads through Oshodi, Agege, Ikeja, Alimosho, and Obalende.
Many motorists were forced to temporarily abandon their vehicles, while commercial bus operators suspended services on several routes due to rising floodwaters, compelling commuters to trek long distances. The development came days after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency forecast thunderstorms and widespread rainfall across the country, warning of possible flash floods in vulnerable areas.
Affected motorists blamed the severity of the flooding on blocked drainage channels, indiscriminate refuse dumping, and poor maintenance of drainage infrastructure. Johnson Alaba, stranded along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, said the drainage channel in his area was completely non-functional. Another motorist, Tony, said he drove through floodwaters from Isolo to Mile 2, warning that heaps of refuse along the expressway were compounding the problem. “If care is not taken, the state may witness a serious epidemic,” he said.
Reacting to the situation, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab appealed for calm, describing the flooding as temporary and likely to recede within hours. He said flash flooding was common in coastal cities during periods of intense rainfall and assured residents that the state was implementing an all-year-round drainage maintenance programme alongside a sustainable solid waste management system to minimise the impact of future flooding.
