Community action, government commitment key to ending Lagos flooding, Experts say at The Lagos Voice X space

By Matthew Ogunwale

Stakeholders have stressed that addressing the persistent flooding crisis in Lagos requires a shared commitment between government authorities and residents, with stronger waste management systems, improved infrastructure, and active community participation identified as critical solutions.

The submissions were made during an X Space organised by The Lagos Voice on Sunday, themed ‘Community Role in Preventing Flooding in Lagos.’ Moderated by Oguadimma Chisom, Programme Manager at The Lagos Voice, with Zaynab Hamzat serving as co-moderator, the discussion featured Hon. Suliyat Yetunde Oguns, Member of the Lagos State Youth Parliament, and Nsikak Emmanuel Ekere, Head of Programmes and Reporter at EnviroNews Nigeria.

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Flooding is Everyone’s Responsibility

Speaking during the conversation, Hon. Oguns maintained that preventing flooding should not be seen as the sole responsibility of government. She noted that while government has a duty to establish effective waste management systems, residents must also play their part by complying with environmental regulations.

‘Basically, everyone is responsible for the flooding in Lagos,’ she said. ‘The government needs to create a system for everyone to follow, but the responsibility is two-sided. We must understand that Lagos is an overpopulated state generating thousands of tonnes of waste every day.’

She urged residents to cultivate simple but consistent waste management habits capable of reducing flooding across communities. According to her, proper waste disposal remains one of the easiest ways citizens can contribute to flood prevention. ‘Let’s all learn to dispose of our waste properly. Patronise your Private Sector Partnership (PSPs), irrespective of how long it takes them to come. Don’t dump refuse in drainage channels.’

Beyond waste disposal, Oguns encouraged residents to become active participants in maintaining their neighbourhoods by reporting blocked drainage systems and participating in community sanitation exercises.

‘When you notice clogged drainage or drains that require desilting, call the attention of the authorities. Environmental sanitation shouldn’t be left for government officials alone. Communities should clear the drainage in front of their houses.’ She also advocated waste separation at source, describing it as an important step towards efficient waste management.

‘I think when we take up these little responsibilities, it becomes easier for us to demand accountability from government whenever they fail to meet expectations,’ she added.

Waste Collection Challenges

Responding to concerns about irregular waste collection, Oguns explained that many of the challenges stem from operational difficulties faced by Private Sector Partnership (PSPs), who are licensed waste collectors supervised by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

She noted that different communities require different waste collection approaches, with some adopting tricycle compactors instead of large trucks because of poor road conditions.

According to her, another major challenge is residents’ unwillingness to pay for waste collection services. ‘In many streets, only a fraction of households pay for waste collection, while others still expect to enjoy the same service. The operators also face rising diesel costs and longer travel distances to disposal sites.’

She disclosed that Lagos State is gradually relocating waste disposal sites away from densely populated areas, a development that has increased transportation costs for waste collectors. Despite these challenges, she encouraged residents to publicly report defaulting PSP operators and government agencies whenever services fail.

‘If your PSP is not doing its work, tag them on social media, post pictures, and notify the authorities. Government officials respond faster when issues are brought to public attention.’

Infrastructure, Not Just Awareness, Is the Missing Link 

Offering an environmental perspective, Nsikak Emmanuel Ekere argued that flooding in Lagos extends beyond poor waste disposal. He said the state’s flooding challenges are largely rooted in weak infrastructure, inadequate drainage systems and poor urban planning. ‘It is not a policy issue alone. It is more of infrastructure and systems,’ he said.

Ekere explained that open drainage systems common across Lagos easily become blocked by sand, stones, wood and other debris, not just plastic waste. ‘Our drainage systems are mostly open and too small. Water flows from different parts of the city carrying various materials that eventually block these channels.’

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He further highlighted the absence of flood insurance and inadequate investment in climate resilience, saying affected residents often bear the full cost of flood disasters. ‘There is little investment in drainage infrastructure, preparedness and resilience. Communities also need insurance and stronger government support.’

Youths Must Move Beyond Online Advocacy

While acknowledging the growing use of social media to draw attention to flooding, Ekere challenged young people to translate online advocacy into practical community action.

He recommended nature-based solutions such as restoring vegetation around riverine communities and constructing natural barriers capable of reducing flood pressure.

He also advocated innovative housing designs with elevated structures and flood ventilation systems to minimise flood damage. ‘Young people should not only raise awareness online. They should become drivers of practical solutions within their communities.’

He further encouraged communities to document environmental challenges, engage government institutions and build coalitions capable of demanding improved public infrastructure.

Call for Early Warning Systems

As the discussion concluded, Ekere identified early warning systems as one of the most urgent interventions required to reduce flood-related disasters. He urged governments to invest more in technology, artificial intelligence, weather forecasting and climate resilience while strengthening drainage infrastructure across the state.

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He also called for better budgetary allocation for flood prevention and disaster preparedness. ‘Government must move beyond words. Citizens need to know that there are plans in place to protect lives and property whenever flooding occurs.’

Shared Responsibility

Throughout the discussion, both speakers agreed that tackling flooding in Lagos requires collective responsibility. While government is expected to strengthen infrastructure, improve waste collection and enforce environmental regulations, residents were urged to embrace responsible waste disposal, participate in community sanitation efforts, promptly report environmental hazards and hold service providers accountable.

The conversation concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government, communities and young people to build a cleaner, more flood-resilient Lagos.