The morning after: Who takes responsibility for pains, loses, regrets of annual devastating floods in Lagos – Residents, government or climate change?

Every year, the harrowing experience repeats itself more devastatingly. Submerged roads, houses, vehicles and everything submersible. People cry, government launch recovery efforts and the chapter closes till when another season beacons. Coming year, government give relocation warnings to residents in prone areas and that is it. The rains appear in full force again and that circle comes alive again: people cry, government launch recovery efforts… chapter closes. However, beyond this endless rigmarole, who takes the blame for what has become a predictable, yet unavoidable annual disaster? NewsClick Nigeria team in this special report examined in details the loses, pains and likely culprits.

The rain started like any other. Dark clouds gathered overhead. The first drops fell gently before the skies opened. Within minutes, roads disappeared beneath murky water, drainage channels overflowed and entire neighbourhoods were submerged. For many Nigerians, the sound of heavy rainfall no longer brings relief from the heat. Instead, it triggers anxiety.

“The rain was too much that day,” one flood victim recalled. “Before we knew it, water entered our house. We just carried the children and ran outside. We could not save most of our things.”

By the time the water receded, everything that family had worked for was gone.

“I lost my bed, TV, clothes, food and some important papers. Everything was inside the water.”

Across Nigeria, similar stories are becoming increasingly common. Every rainy season leaves behind a familiar trail of destruction. Homes are submerged, roads become impassable, businesses shut their doors, commuters are stranded and livelihoods built over years disappear within hours.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is increasing the intensity of extreme weather events around the world. Nigeria is already feeling the effects. Rainfall patterns have become less predictable, while prolonged and heavier downpours are placing enormous pressure on ageing drainage systems and rapidly expanding cities.

Yet climate change tells only part of the story.

Environmental experts argue that blocked drainage channels, indiscriminate waste disposal, poor urban planning, unchecked development on flood plains and weak enforcement of environmental regulations have transformed seasonal rainfall into recurring disasters.

The consequences extend far beyond damaged roads and flooded houses. Flooding has become an economic emergency, disrupting businesses, destroying investments, slowing productivity and forcing thousands of entrepreneurs and households to spend scarce resources rebuilding instead of growing.

Behind every flooded street lies a hidden cost—one measured not only in naira but also in lost opportunities, interrupted education, damaged health, emotional trauma and declining confidence in communities that brace for disaster every rainy season.

 

Businesses Paying the Price

For thousands of small business owners, rainfall no longer simply affects customer traffic. It determines whether they can open their shops at all.

On Lagos Island, fashion designer Fadhoon knows that every heavy rainfall could bring production to a halt.

“Flooding has affected my business seriously because my workspace is where I create and deliver orders to customers,” she told NewsClick Nigeria.

“When the flood entered my shop, I could not sit down to work. My materials were affected and production had to stop. I had customers waiting for their outfits, but I had to explain the situation and ask for more time because the environment was no longer conducive for work.”

For a fashion designer, deadlines are everything. Weddings, birthdays, naming ceremonies and corporate events rarely move because of bad weather.

“When flooding happens, it does not only damage property,” she said. “It affects trust, income and your ability to serve customers.”

Like thousands of Nigerian entrepreneurs, Fadhoon operates without comprehensive business insurance. Every damaged fabric, sewing accessory and delayed delivery comes directly from her pocket.

For many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), this is the reality of doing business in flood-prone communities. Unlike larger corporations with insurance and emergency contingency plans, small businesses often rely on daily income to survive. A single flooding incident can erase months—or even years—of investment.

From electronics dealers in Alaba to market traders in Lagos Island, roadside food vendors, pharmacies, supermarkets and neighbourhood salons, flooding interrupts supply chains, destroys inventory, damages equipment and drives customers away.

The financial losses rarely end when the rain stops.

Business owners often spend weeks replacing damaged stock, repairing premises and restoring customer confidence.

 

Climate Change and Nigeria’s New Reality

Many Nigerians now believe flooding has become part of everyday life.

For Fadhoon, the connection between climate change and heavier rainfall is becoming increasingly obvious.

“We now experience heavier rains and longer periods of rainfall compared to before,” she said.

“But beyond climate change, human activities also contribute to the problem. When drainage channels are blocked and waste is dumped carelessly, water has nowhere to go.”

Her observations reflect a growing consensus among climate experts.

Rising global temperatures are increasing atmospheric moisture, making heavy rainfall events more frequent in many parts of the world. However, climate change does not act alone.

Nigeria’s rapidly expanding cities have often grown faster than infrastructure. Wetlands have been reclaimed for housing. Natural waterways have been blocked by construction. Drainage systems built decades ago now struggle to cope with larger populations and more intense rainfall.

The result is that rainfall which might once have caused temporary inconvenience now overwhelms entire communities.

For residents, this means every rainy season comes with uncertainty.

 

Living in Fear Whenever It Rains

Mrs Amina, a Lagos resident, said heavy rainfall now brings anxiety rather than comfort.

“Anytime heavy rain falls, there is fear because we do not know if water will enter the house,” she said.

“When the flood came, some of our belongings were damaged, movement became difficult and we had to spend money cleaning and repairing things.”

She believes many people underestimate the psychological impact of repeated flooding.

“The emotional stress is also something people do not always talk about. Living in fear whenever it rains affects your peace of mind.”

Mrs Amina believes climate change is contributing to increasingly frequent flooding, but she insists human behaviour is making matters worse.

“We also have to look at our own actions. Climate change may increase rainfall, but poor planning, blocked drainage and improper waste disposal make the situation worse.”

She added that environmental responsibility remains weak.

“Some people only become concerned about the environment when flooding affects them directly. We need to teach people from a young age about proper waste disposal and the importance of protecting public spaces.”

For her, preventing floods requires collective action rather than blaming government alone.

“We cannot continue to blame only one side. Everyone must work together to protect our communities.”

In Ibeju-Lekki, the rainy season has almost brought one family’s source of income to a standstill.

Mrs Omowunmi described how flooding overwhelmed her husband’s furniture workshop.

“My husband has a furniture workshop in Ibeju-Lekki, and since the rain started it has affected him greatly and hindered him from working. As it is, his shop is flooded.”

She said the volume of water shocked residents.

“The rain was so heavy that the water was coming right from under the cemented ground to find its way out.

“It wasn’t only penetrating from the cemented ground; it was also coming out from a fenced area and flowing to the other side. The water wasn’t only moving and spreading around. It was impossible to stop.”

She also described a nearby canal that almost collapsed under the pressure of floodwater, leaving a major road virtually unrecognisable.

For businesses that depend on physical workspaces, such flooding means operations simply stop. Furniture cannot be produced inside flooded workshops, customers cannot access premises and expensive machinery risks permanent damage.

For many artisans, every day without work means another day without income.

 

The Cost of Every Delivery

Long before the floodwater reaches people’s homes, it begins disrupting another critical part of Nigeria’s economy — logistics.

For dispatch rider Mr Ejike, every rainfall now means longer journeys, higher operating costs and increasingly frustrated customers.

“Most of the time nowadays, packages that I am supposed to deliver in less than one hour now can take two hours or more,” he told NewsClick Nigeria.

“Some clients don’t understand that even if their own area is not flooded, the roads leading there might be under water. Sometimes it isn’t even flooding. Once heavy rain starts, I have to stop somewhere because rain can damage some of the packages.”

His daily routine has changed dramatically.

“There was a day I wanted to deliver a package to someone in Lekki. I got to the estate gate and the whole place was flooded. I had to leave my bike with the estate security and walk through dirty water to complete the delivery. The client kept calling and shouting that I was taking too long.”

Like thousands of riders working for logistics companies or operating independently, Ejike is caught between customer expectations and realities beyond his control.

Before the peak of this year’s rainy season, he regularly completed more than 10 deliveries daily.

“I used to go on more than 10 trips every day, but now I reject some deliveries because I already know those places will be too stressful to reach.”

The financial implications go beyond delayed deliveries.

Floodwater repeatedly damages his motorcycle.

“Me and my mechanic are now like family,” he joked.

“Once you ride through deep water, it affects the engine. That means more repairs and more expenses. Fuel is already expensive, but customers still complain if you increase delivery charges.”

His story reflects a wider challenge facing Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

The rise of e-commerce has increased demand for same-day deliveries, but flooding is undermining that progress. Businesses that rely on efficient logistics—from pharmacies and supermarkets to online fashion retailers and food vendors—face delayed deliveries, cancelled orders and dissatisfied customers whenever roads become impassable.

For many small online businesses, a delayed delivery can mean losing repeat customers, attracting negative reviews and suffering reputational damage that lasts long after the floodwaters disappear.

 

A City Learns to Live Above the Water

For Ms Kemi, moving from Ibadan to Lagos came with an unexpected lesson.

She had relocated during the dry season and could not understand why many homes in her neighbourhood had unusually high cupboards installed close to the ceiling.

“I was always wondering why everyone had cabinets close to the ceiling,” she recalled.

The answer arrived during one night of heavy rainfall.

Returning home from work, she discovered that roads leading to her house had become rivers.

“I had to pay someone to carry me across the water.”

She assumed the worst was over after reaching home.

Instead, she opened the door to another flood waiting inside.

“My uncle had already packed the television, clothes and every valuable thing inside the cabinet above. He brought out an iron bed, and that night I slept inside water.”

Looking back, she now understands why long-term residents designed their homes differently.

“In Lagos, people who have lived in flood-prone areas know exactly what to expect whenever the rain becomes heavy.”

Across many flood-prone communities, residents have quietly adapted.

Some build elevated shelves.

Others place electrical sockets higher on walls.

Furniture is raised with concrete blocks.

Important documents are sealed inside waterproof containers.

These adjustments reveal how flooding has become woven into everyday life for many households—not as an occasional disaster but as an expected annual event.

 

Nigeria’s Growing Recovery Economy

As devastating as flooding is, it also creates an economy few people notice.

When families begin cleaning their homes, another group of Nigerians becomes busier than ever.

Mechanics repair water-damaged engines.

Electricians replace burnt electrical fittings.

Carpenters rebuild swollen wardrobes and damaged doors.

Painters repair damp walls.

Plumbers clear blocked drainage systems.

Phone technicians rescue devices soaked by floodwater.

Cleaning companies disinfect homes coated in mud and contaminated water.

Mattress cleaners attempt to salvage expensive bedding that families cannot afford to replace.

Upholsterers restore damaged sofas.

Welders repair rusted gates and metal structures weakened by prolonged exposure to water.

Tow truck operators receive emergency calls from stranded motorists.

For these workers, the weeks after severe flooding often become their busiest period of the year.

Yet few celebrate the increased demand.

Every repair job begins with someone else’s misfortune.

Every flooded vehicle belongs to a family facing unexpected expenses.

Every damaged business represents interrupted income.

The increase in work comes at a price someone else has already paid.

This growing “recovery economy” has become one of the less visible consequences of climate-related disasters.

It keeps thousands of Nigerians employed, but it also reflects the enormous cost of rebuilding infrastructure, homes and businesses that could have been better protected.

 

Climate Change Is Here—But So Is Human Negligence

Many of those interviewed for this report agreed on one point: climate change is making heavy rainfall more intense.

However, they were equally clear that human behaviour is worsening the crisis.

Fadhoon believes environmental responsibility remains weak.

“Many people do not see environmental responsibility as a personal duty. Some people throw waste into gutters, build on waterways and ignore warnings until flooding happens.”

Mrs Amina shares a similar view.

“Some people only become concerned about the environment when flooding affects them directly.”

Across many urban centres, plastic bottles, nylon bags and household refuse continue to clog drainage channels.

Illegal structures block natural waterways.

Wetlands that once absorbed excess rainfall have been replaced by housing estates and commercial developments.

As cities expand, concrete increasingly replaces vegetation, preventing rainwater from naturally soaking into the ground.

The result is that more water flows rapidly across hard surfaces, overwhelming drainage systems that were never designed for today’s population or rainfall intensity.

Climate experts describe this as the interaction between climate change and poor urban planning.

Neither factor alone fully explains Nigeria’s flooding crisis.

Together, they create disasters that become increasingly difficult to manage.

Beyond Emergency Response

Flood prevention begins long before dark clouds appear.

Residents interviewed for this report repeatedly called for stronger government action.

For Fadhoon, improved drainage remains essential.

“The government needs to improve drainage systems, enforce laws against building on waterways and invest more in flood prevention.”

The displaced flood victim echoed that appeal.

“I want the government to help people who lost their homes and fix the drainage. This kind of thing should not keep happening every year.”

Mrs Amina believes responsibility must be shared.

“Residents also need to stop activities that worsen flooding.”

Their message reflects a growing recognition that responding after disasters occur is no longer enough.

Communities need stronger infrastructure.

Cities require better planning.

Drainage systems need regular maintenance.

Environmental laws must be enforced consistently rather than only after disasters.

And public awareness campaigns must encourage residents to see environmental protection not as government responsibility alone but as a shared civic duty.

Until these changes happen, many Nigerians fear that every rainy season will continue to bring the same cycle of destruction, rebuilding and uncertainty.

 

The Price of Flooding: Counting Nigeria’s Losses

For many Nigerians, the true cost of flooding is measured by what they see after the rain—collapsed buildings, submerged vehicles, ruined household items and businesses struggling to reopen.

But the financial impact stretches far beyond what is immediately visible.

According to estimates by the World Bank, recurring floods cost Nigeria billions of dollars in economic losses over time through damaged infrastructure, reduced agricultural output, disruption to businesses, destruction of homes and declining productivity. Successive assessments by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and humanitarian organisations have also shown that flooding displaces hundreds of thousands of people almost every year, while affecting businesses, schools and healthcare facilities across several states.

The impact is particularly severe for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which make up more than 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria and account for a significant share of employment. Unlike large corporations, many small businesses have little financial protection. Few have flood insurance, emergency savings or alternative operating locations.

For these entrepreneurs, a single night of heavy rain can erase years of investment.

Fashion materials, electronics, furniture, food items, generators, computers and important business records can all be destroyed within hours. Some businesses reopen after weeks of repairs; others never recover.

The consequences ripple through the economy. Suppliers lose customers, workers lose income, transporters lose trips and consumers face higher prices as businesses try to recover from their losses.

 

Beyond Property Damage

Flooding does not only destroy physical assets. It also affects education, healthcare and mental wellbeing.

Children in flooded communities often miss school because roads become impassable or classrooms are damaged. Health facilities may become inaccessible, while contaminated floodwater increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea.

The emotional burden is equally significant.

Families who repeatedly experience flooding live with constant uncertainty. Every dark cloud becomes a source of anxiety. Many residents spend the rainy season monitoring water levels instead of sleeping peacefully.

For those who have lost their homes or businesses, recovery can take months—or even years.

As one flood victim told NewsClick Nigeria:

“The flood has made life very hard for us. We are still trying to start again.”

Those few words capture the reality facing countless Nigerians whose lives are reset each rainy season.

 

Why the Problem Persists

Experts agree that climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall, but they caution against blaming climate change alone.

Nigeria’s flooding crisis is also rooted in decades of poor environmental management.

Across many urban centres, drainage systems are either poorly maintained or blocked by refuse. Buildings continue to emerge on flood plains and natural waterways despite planning regulations. Wetlands that once absorbed excess rainwater have disappeared under residential and commercial developments.

Environmental advocates also point to the country’s waste disposal culture.

Plastic bottles, nylon bags, discarded tyres and household refuse are frequently dumped into gutters and canals. During heavy rainfall, these materials obstruct drainage channels, causing water to overflow into roads, markets and residential areas.

Fadhoon believes changing public attitudes is just as important as improving infrastructure.

“Many people do not see environmental responsibility as a personal duty,” she said.

Mrs Amina echoed that concern.

“We need to teach people from a young age about proper waste disposal and the importance of protecting public spaces.”

Their comments reflect a broader reality: flood prevention cannot succeed through government intervention alone. It also requires changes in public behaviour.

 

Adapting to a Changing Climate

Climate experts increasingly argue that Nigeria must move beyond responding to floods after they happen and instead invest in adaptation.

That means designing cities that can cope with heavier rainfall, strengthening drainage infrastructure, protecting wetlands, enforcing environmental regulations and improving early warning systems.

Communities also need better public education on flood risks, while businesses should be encouraged to adopt contingency plans, protect critical records and, where possible, insure valuable assets against natural disasters.

For many residents, adaptation has already begun in small ways.

Families now raise furniture before the rainy season, install elevated storage spaces, move electrical fittings higher up walls and monitor weather forecasts more closely than ever before.

But these individual efforts cannot replace large-scale investment in resilient infrastructure.

Without systemic changes, every adaptation made by households is merely a temporary response to a recurring crisis.

 

Government and Citizens Must Share Responsibility

Throughout this investigation, one message emerged consistently.

Residents want government to improve drainage systems, enforce building regulations and provide timely assistance to affected communities.

At the same time, many acknowledge that citizens also have responsibilities.

Stopping indiscriminate waste disposal, keeping drainage channels clear and respecting environmental regulations are actions that can significantly reduce flood risks.

As Mrs Amina put it:

“We cannot continue to blame only one side. Everyone must work together to protect our communities.”

That shared responsibility may be Nigeria’s strongest defence against increasingly severe flooding.