LASEMA, NEMA intensify flood preparedness ahead of rainy season

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and National Emergency Management Agency have strengthened collaboration to boost flood sensitisation and disaster preparedness across Lagos State ahead of the 2026 rainy season.

The agencies disclosed this during a joint press briefing held at the Folarin Coker Hall, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday, on measures aimed at reducing flood risks and improving emergency response across the state.

The event brought together local government officials, community leaders, market associations, transport unions and civil society organisations to review evacuation protocols, flood vulnerability maps and community response strategies.

Speaking at the briefing, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said Lagos was shifting from a reactive to a preventive approach in disaster management.

According to him, the state recorded more than 1,100 emergency incidents in 2025, many of which were flood-related.

“Lagos is a coastal megacity with over 22 million residents and extensive waterways. While this drives economic growth, it also exposes us to recurrent flooding,” he said.

“Our focus for 2026 is prevention, early warning and community-level preparedness. Response alone is no longer sufficient.”

Also speaking, South-West Coordinator of NEMA, Akinyode Saheed, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between federal and state emergency agencies.

“NEMA is committed to supporting Lagos State with technical expertise, early warning data and relief resources where necessary,” he said.

“Our joint operations protocol ensures that when an incident escalates beyond state capacity, federal response is triggered without delay.”

The agencies said the sensitisation programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen disaster risk reduction, public awareness and emergency response systems across vulnerable communities in Lagos State.