Flood Threat: FG, Lagos Intensify Collaboration On Water, Sanitation

The federal government and the Lagos State Government have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration on flood resilience, sustainable water resources management, urban water sector reforms and sanitation.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Marina,

Utsev, who conveyed the federal government’s sympathies over the recent flooding incidents in Lagos, said the state’s strategic position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities made closer collaboration between both governments critical to addressing emerging water resources and sanitation challenges.

He identified three priority areas for cooperation: strengthening flood resilience, accelerating the attainment of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and advancing sustainable urban water sector reforms to improve service delivery and attract investment.

The minister warned that flooding had become an increasingly serious challenge in Lagos, especially during the rainy season, disrupting homes, businesses, transportation and critical infrastructure. He attributed the recurring floods to the state’s coastal geography, rapid urbanisation, climate change, rising sea levels and increasingly intense rainfall.

According to him, the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) identified Lagos as one of the 33 states at high risk of flooding, highlighting the need for proactive planning, stronger early warning systems and closer collaboration between governments.

Utsev commended the Lagos State Government for measures already taken to mitigate flooding and assured that the federal government was ready to support the state through integrated water resources management, improved drainage infrastructure, nature-based solutions, effective urban planning and enhanced institutional coordination.

He also welcomed Lagos State’s interest in joining the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, describing it as a key platform for improving water supply and sanitation through institutional reforms, stronger governance, enhanced service delivery and performance-based financing.

On sanitation, the minister praised the state’s efforts to improve hygiene but urged accelerated action towards achieving Open Defecation Free status, particularly in underserved communities.

Utsev further disclosed that the ministry had developed the first draft of the National Water Compact, a framework aimed at driving reforms in Nigeria’s water sector through improved policy coordination, investment mobilisation and sustainable water resources management in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He added that the federal government had launched the National Flood Intelligence Monitoring System and the Multi-Hazard Flood Early Warning System through NiHSA to strengthen flood forecasting, support early response and improve coordination among governments and communities.

Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu appreciated the federal government’s support in addressing flood-related challenges and stressed the need for sustained collaboration to tackle the growing impacts of climate change on Lagos.

The governor disclosed that the state had already developed a comprehensive strategy to attain Open Defecation Free status and expressed readiness to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to improve sanitation, strengthen hygiene services, enhance flood management and promote sustainable water resources development.

The meeting was attended by the Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Arc. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, the Managing Director of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Adedeji Ashiru, and other senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Lagos State Government.