The Federal Government and Lagos State Government have agreed to strengthen joint efforts to tackle flooding and improve water and sanitation infrastructure across the state.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this during an assessment visit to flood-prone communities and critical water infrastructure in Lagos.
Prof. Utsev said the Federal Government would work with the Lagos State Government, development partners and the private sector to develop sustainable solutions to flooding and other water-related challenges.
He said the assessment was part of a nationwide exercise aimed at identifying challenges in water resources, sanitation, hygiene and flood management across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Minister said Lagos required particular attention because of its rapid growth and economic importance to Nigeria and the African continent.
He explained that detailed engineering assessments would be conducted to determine the scope, cost and implementation timeline of additional flood control projects in the state.
Prof. Utsev commended the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority for measures already taken to reduce flooding.
He identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels as a major cause of flooding and urged residents to keep waterways free from waste.
The Minister also commended the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station on Lagos Island, describing it as an effective flood control initiative that could be supported and replicated in other areas.
The Director-General of NIHSA, Mr. Umar Mohammed, said flood mitigation measures were being guided by scientific forecasts and hydrological data.
He said the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook projected above-normal rainfall in several parts of the country, making continuous monitoring, early warnings and preparedness necessary.
The Lagos State Special Adviser on Environment, Mr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, said the state had issued early flood warnings based on forecasts from NiMet and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.
He said vulnerable communities had been sensitised through conventional and digital media, while investments in flood control infrastructure, including the Ilubirin pumping station, had helped reduce flooding in some parts of Lagos.
During the assessment, the Minister and his delegation inspected the Ilubirin Mechanical Pumping Station, drainage channels in Ajegunle and Apapa-Iganmu, Ilo-Awela River in Alimosho, a public toilet project at Orile Iganmu and the Ogombo River along the Lagos Coastal Highway corridor.
