Despite N1.25bn Ecological Fund, Lagos Still Submerged
Despite receiving more than N1.25 billion in ecological fund allocations between January and May 2026, Lagos State has continued to experience severe flooding, with major roads and residential communities submerged after heavy rainfall, raising questions about the effectiveness of flood mitigation efforts in Nigeria’s commercial capital. Data obtained by from the Office of the […]
Despite receiving more than N1.25 billion in ecological fund allocations between January and May 2026, Lagos State has continued to experience severe flooding, with major roads and residential communities submerged after heavy rainfall, raising questions about the effectiveness of flood mitigation efforts in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Data obtained by from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGoF) show that Lagos received N251.46 million in January, N186.09 million in February, N238.92 million in March, N299.57 million in April and N277.67 million in May, bringing the total ecological fund allocation for the five-month period to N1.253 billion.
The Ecological Fund is a federal intervention pool established to support states in addressing ecological challenges such as flooding, erosion, drought, desertification and other environmental emergencies through preventive and remedial projects.
However, the latest downpour left several parts of Lagos under water. Videos and eyewitness accounts showed floodwaters overtaking major roads in Lekki, Gbagada, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Oshodi, Ogudu, Maryland and surrounding communities, leaving commuters stranded, submerging vehicles and forcing some residents to resort to boats for transportation.
In one viral video, a resident lamented: “Look at the kids, they are using boat to get to school here in Lagos because everywhere is flooded. At least they should place warning signs so people can identify where the drainage channels are and avoid falling into them.”
The flooding occurred despite repeated warnings by the Lagos State Government and federal agencies ahead of the rainy season. Relying on forecasts from the Federal Ministry of Environment, the state had identified Apapa, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Lekki, Ojo, Surulere, Agege, Alimosho and Kosofe as flood-prone areas and advised residents to remain vigilant.
The state government also maintained that its year-round clearing of primary and secondary drainage channels had helped reduce the severity of flooding.
Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, acknowledged that flooding cannot be completely eliminated because of the state’s geography and rapid urbanisation.
Speaking on Arise Television recently, Wahab said: “In the past three years, we have seen remarkable improvements. But I would be playing to the gallery if I said there will not be issues of flash flooding in Lagos. However, we can mitigate the incidence of flash flooding in Lagos.”
He also attributed flooding in Ologolo to changes in drainage patterns caused by the construction of the coastal road.
The continued flooding aligns with national risk assessments. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) listed Lagos among the 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory at high risk of flooding during the 2026 rainy season, citing heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage infrastructure and rapid urbanisation as key drivers of urban flooding.
Similarly, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) identified Lagos as one of the worst-hit states this year, reporting that 52,013 people have been affected. Nationwide, NEMA said floods have claimed 231 lives, affected 315,762 people, displaced 113,367 residents, damaged 40,493 houses and destroyed 46,304 farmlands.
The growing impact of flooding has also prompted fresh federal intervention. The National Economic Council (NEC) recently approved N83.2 billion, half of the N166.42 billion requested by the Anticipatory Action Task Force (ASTF),to strengthen preparedness and response to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
While ecological fund allocations are intended to help states prevent and respond to environmental hazards, the persistence of flooding in Lagos despite receiving more than N1.25 billion in five months underscores the scale of the challenge.
With climate risks intensifying and additional federal resources now committed to flood preparedness, attention is likely to remain on how ecological funds are deployed and whether they translate into measurable improvements in protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure.