Heavy rain hit Lagos hard on Sunday 28 June, flooding major roads and trapping motorists across the city. From the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Lekki-Epe and Apapa-Oshodi, as well as the bridge linking Ojota to Maryland, rising water stalled traffic, disrupted movement and pushed some commuters to trek, while residents raised fresh concerns over clogged drains and roadside refuse.
The downpour also forced airport authorities to temporarily shut the terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport after floodwater entered the departure hall, boarding gates, airline offices and powerhouse, prompting FAAN to move affected airlines to Terminal Two.
Lagos Moves Airlines as Flooding Blocks Roads and Disrupts Airport Operations
The rain started around noon and lasted for about four hours, leaving several busy roads flooded across the city. Affected areas included Ikorodu Road, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Oshodi, Agege, Ikeja, Alimosho, Obalende and parts of Lekki-Epe Expressway.
Commercial buses struggled to move through the water, while some operators stopped working in badly flooded areas. Several vehicles broke down or got stuck, adding to the traffic gridlock. In some places, commuters left public transport and walked long distances to continue their journeys.
Across the city, motorists blamed the floods on blocked drains, poor maintenance and refuse dumped along roads. Some warned that the repeated flooding could create health risks if waste and dirty water continue to collect in public spaces.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, urged residents to stay calm. He said the floods were temporary and would recede once water levels dropped. He also urged residents to stop dumping refuse in drains, blocking drainage channels, reclaiming land illegally or building on drainage setbacks.
The flooding also affected the temporary international terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Airlines including Air France-KLM, Ethiopian Airlines and Fly Gabon were moved from the flooded facility to Terminal Two after water entered key parts of the terminal.
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) officials said the terminal’s powerhouse was also flooded, so electricity had to be switched off. The authority said the move was necessary for operations and safety.
FAAN spokesperson Henry Agbebire linked the airport flooding to ongoing construction work around the old international terminal. He said the work affected the drainage system and caused water to build up. He added that the affected airlines were moved quickly and that there were no flight cancellations.
The old terminal is currently undergoing a reconstruction project estimated at more than ₦600 billion.
