Lagos Communities Flooded, Vehicles Submerged After Marathon Rainfall

Rising Waters, Rising Resolve: Lagos Flooding and the Global Fight Against Climate Change

On August 4, 2025, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial heartbeat, was overwhelmed by marathon rainfall that began Sunday night and continued relentlessly through Monday evening. Viral videos showed submerged homes and vehicles in Ijede, Lekki, Ajegunle, Agege, Surulere, and other flood-prone areas. Streets turned into rivers, trade was paralyzed, and residents took to social media to cry for help.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, acknowledged the pain of residents and emphasized the city’s vulnerability as a coastal metropolis. He cited climate change and poor waste disposal practices as key contributors to flash flooding. Wahab assured that resilient infrastructure is in place and that the state will intensify year-round drainage maintenance.

But as climate change accelerates, the question remains: Is this enough?

What Other Cities Are Doing Differently

Cities across the globe are facing similar climate threats, but many are responding with bold, transformative strategies that Lagos can learn from.

Urban Design for Resilience

• Amsterdam has redesigned its streets to prioritize bicycles and pedestrians, drastically cutting emissions and reducing reliance on cars.
• Singapore incorporates vertical gardens, green rooftops, and solar-powered buildings into its urban planning, making sustainability a design standard.

Greener Mobility

• Santiago, Chile has built the largest fleet of electric buses outside China, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Oslo, Norway is phasing out fossil fuel vehicles and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, aiming to be carbon-neutral by 2030.

Nature-Based Solutions

• Melbourne is planting thousands of trees to cool the city and absorb CO₂, combating urban heat islands.
• New York City invests in green roofs and urban farming to reduce heat, improve air quality, and manage stormwater runoff.

Energy Efficiency

• Copenhagen uses district heating powered by waste and renewables, serving 98% of homes with low-carbon energy.
• Tokyo mandates energy-efficient building codes and retrofits older buildings to reduce their carbon footprint.

Community Engagement

• Portland, Oregon involves residents in climate action planning, ensuring that equity and inclusion are central to its policies.
• Cape Town promotes water conservation through public campaigns and smart metering, especially after its severe drought.

Lessons for Lagos: Turning Crisis into Opportunity

To truly build resilience, Lagos must go beyond reactive measures. Here’s how the city can transform its climate response:

Community-Led Awareness Campaigns

Empowering residents with knowledge about flood risks, proper waste disposal, and emergency preparedness can dramatically reduce vulnerability. Grassroots education programs, school initiatives, and local media can play a vital role.

Green Infrastructure

Lagos can adopt nature-based solutions like:

• Permeable pavements that absorb rainwater
• Rain gardens that filter runoff
• Rooftop farms and green roofs that reduce heat and manage stormwater

These solutions not only mitigate flooding but also beautify the city and improve air quality.

Smart Urban Planning

Integrating climate data into zoning laws and development plans ensures that new buildings and infrastructure are designed with resilience in mind. Flood-prone zones should be mapped and regulated to prevent unsafe construction.

Public-Private Partnerships

Collaborations with private companies can unlock funding and innovation for:

• Electric transport systems
• Renewable energy projects
• Smart drainage and flood monitoring technologies

These partnerships can accelerate Lagos’s transition to a climate-resilient future.

Accountability and Enforcement

Even the best plans falter without enforcement. Lagos must ensure that:

• Drainage systems are regularly maintained
• Waste disposal laws are enforced
• Building codes are updated and followed

A Call to Action

Lagos has the potential to become a model for climate resilience in West Africa. But it will require bold leadership, sustained investment, and a shared commitment from government, businesses, and citizens alike.

As the waters rise, so must our resolve.