How persistent torrential rainfall in Nigeria wreaks havoc on homes, businesses

…Lagos, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Delta, others among hardest-hit states

…NiMet urges caution

Persistent torrential rainfall has triggered severe flash flooding and rainstorms across multiple states, submerging homes, halting commerce, and displacing residents.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier issued a warning about a probable flash-flood risk alert between July 1 and July 10, 2026, stating that intensified rainfall at the onset of the peak rainy season could trigger flash flooding across 27 states.

NiMet warned that the anticipated heavy rainfall could lead to localised flash floods, particularly in flood-prone communities and densely populated urban areas.

The hardest-hit states so far include: Lagos, Kogi, Plateau, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Bayelsa.

Lagos and Akwa Ibom states were seriously pounded last week as the states literally came under heavy flooding after several hours of continuous rain.

In Akwa Ibom, persistent rainfall submerged most of the state capital, Uyo, forcing the state government to issue a statement as residents count losses.

In Lagos, widespread, recurrent overnight rainfall in the last three to four days submerged major roads and houses in areas like Lagos Island, Lekki, Alimosho, Surulere, Mushin, and Iwaya, leaving many residents stranded.

In Kogi State, rainstorms tore through communities like Ega Eriga in Lokoja, ripping off roofs and destroying over 40 houses, leaving dozens of families temporarily without shelter.

While severe downpours and strong winds in Plateau State blew off rooftops and destroyed at least 20 homes, residents in the Nghassi community of Bokkos Local Government Area were displaced.

Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states in South West

were not left out as continuous heavy downpours caused flash floods and windstorms that ravaged local roads and sacked residents, causing heavy economic losses.

States including Adamawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River and Edo in South West have also reported varying levels of devastation, property damage, and mass displacement of villagers along rising riverbanks and low-lying coastal areas.

NiMet had earlier cautioned that stagnant floodwaters could increase the risk of waterborne diseases in affected communities if proper sanitation measures are not maintained.

It called on State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), local authorities, community leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen preparedness and emergency response efforts.

It emphasised that early preparedness, public awareness and prompt action remain critical to reducing the risks and impacts associated with flash flooding during the peak of the 2026 rainy season.

The agency also urged residents to monitor official weather forecasts and flash flood advisories to minimise the impact of possible flooding, while also asking Nigerians to keep their drains and waterways free of refuse, secure loose outdoor objects, and avoid walking or driving through flooded roads.

Read also: NiMet warns 27 states of flash flood risk as heavy rains threaten Nigeria

Lagos reacts

Titilayo Oshodi, special advisor to the Lagos State Governor on climate change and circular economy, said: “While climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of heavy rainfall, rapid urbanisation, blocked drainage channels and indiscriminate waste disposal have also worsened flooding.”

According to Oshodi, addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond expanding drainage infrastructure and strengthening early warning systems.

She reiterated that the Lagos State government was enforcing better environmental management while encouraging residents to take responsibility for keeping waterways clear.

“Building a climate-resilient Lagos is a shared responsibility, and sustained collaboration between government, businesses and citizens will be essential to safeguarding the state’s future,” Oshodi said, adding: “My thoughts are with the residents and families affected by the recent flooding across Lagos.”

Faith Donatus, environmental scientist and climate change expert, said that the widespread recurrence of torrential floods across Nigeria was mainly a result of climate change and its growing interactions with poor urban planning, blocked drainage systems, and the continued degradation of natural ecosystems, particularly forested areas.

“High amounts of rainfall are unavoidable; however, its impacts on humans and their sources of livelihood is preventable through climate-resilient infrastructure, effective land-use planning, wetland and forest conservation, and stronger enforcement of environmental regulations,” Donatus said.

According to her, Nigeria must enhance its response strategies, by shifting from reactive disaster response to building proactive climate adaptation measures if it hopes to reduce the human and economic costs of recurring floods.

Uyo residents count losses

Moses Akpan, resident pastor of Seventh-Day Adventist, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said he managed to rescue his children from their flooded room.

Akpan said that he was unable to take anything out of his apartment because of the devastating nature of the flood. “We did not take any pin out,” he said.

He also disclosed that the flood damaged many things within the church. “All the church documents, all my personal documents, my certificates and that of my wife, everything is gone.

“Now the water inside the church is too bad. Everything has been destroyed inside the church. Nothing left inside the church,” he said.

According to him, the flood situation is annual but the recent situation was on another level.

“We have never experienced this particular flooding. Today has been something so terrible.”

Akpan described the current flood situation in Uyo as a disaster demanding urgent government attention to support affected residents of the state.

According to him, the community is prone to flooding and has always been flooded whenever it rains. “So, we need help. We need government intervention for the drainage system.

“I can’t even know how to explain it because right now it has caused me both physical and emotional trauma. I don’t even know what to do.”

Philip Asuquo, another resident of Uyo, said the current flood situation is an eye-opener. According to him, the flood situation is a pointer that the state government has not been proactive about dealing with environmental situations.

“It’s a terrible thing. If we are always reactive, we are waiting for the worst to happen before we respond as a people then we have missed it,” he said.

Asuquo, who resides on Nkemba Street adjacent to Iya Street (off Abak road), said his community was badly affected by the flood.

“It is a terrible thing that something like this will happen. Look at old women being swept by floods. Look at kids being carried on their head, taken out. Look at properties, cars. Look at mattresses, home appliances destroyed by this flood,” he said.

Read also: Why Lagos’ flooding will persist 

Akwa Ibom State government’s response

The state government responded to residents’ clamour in a press release signed by Aniekan Umanah, commissioner for Information and tagged ‘AKSG moves to ameliorate storm water flooding occasioned by torrential rainfall on Thursday, July 9, 2026.’

According to the statement, the state governor has directed some construction companies in the state to immediately mobilise to flood-affected areas to evacuate excess storm water, drain flooded communities, and restore normalcy following the torrential rainfall experienced on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

The governor has also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), under the Office of the Deputy Governor, the Ministry of Environment, and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency to immediately inspect the affected locations, assess the extent of the damage, and implement appropriate emergency measures to ameliorate the situation.

According to the government, Thursday’s heavy rainfall resulted in storm water flooding in several parts of Uyo, including Nkemba Street (Abak Road), Itu Road, Osongama Estate, and Shelter Afrique, as well as some areas in Abak Local Government Area.

The government called on all residents to complement government efforts in line with earlier warning by NiMET, by ensuring that drainage channels around their homes and business premises are kept free of refuse and other obstructions to allow the free flow of storm water.

Similarly, the government also disclosed that it will remove all structures and properties obstructing waterways and drainage lines, regardless of ownership or persons involved, in order to ensure the free flow of storm water and protect lives and property.