Lagos is experiencing heightened flood risk exacerbated by human-induced climate change and rapid urbanization, following recent flash floods. Studies indicate a significant reduction in vegetation and water bodies in districts like Lekki, while settlements have increased on natural land cover.
Analysis of satellite images from 2015 to 2025 revealed a 13% decrease in vegetation cover and a 6% reduction in water bodies in Lekki, alongside a 10% increase in settlements. This trend, consistent with broader research on Nigeria’s coastal cities, points to eroding wetlands and a loss of natural flood buffering capacity. Researchers predict over 60% of Lagos’ urban areas could be affected by extreme flooding by 2050 due to ongoing wetland loss, which is attributed partly to a real estate boom.
Source: Mongabay