Lagos Floods: Informal Workers’Plight Amidst Government’s Inaction Lagos, Nigeria – Over the past 14 years, Lagos has experienced four significant floods, including those in 2012, 2019, 2022, and 2023. These floods have had a catastrophic impact on the livelihoods of informal workers, particularly in Oshodi Market and Makoko community, where thousands have been left without means to sustain themselves and their families.
The floods have repeatedly inundated the open — air markets of Oshodi and the stilted walkways of Makoko, a waterfront community of around 100,000 people.
The disruption has left informal workers, including market traders, street vendors, waste recyclers, and artisans, without a means to support themselves and their families.
The United Nations has condemned the continued demolitions and violent evictions in waterfront areas of Lagos, citing the loss of homes, access to services, and opportunities for the urban poor.
The organization has called for an immediate end to all demolitions and violent evictions in these areas. Research suggests that informal workers are constructing urban resilience through adaptive strategies, challenging traditional top-down approaches to disaster risk reduction. These strategies highlight the need for a more inclusive and community-driven approach to urban planning and flood management.
Despite the efforts of informal workers to manage the disasters on their own, the state has not stepped in to provide substantial assistance. Blocked drains are not cleared, and communities living on floodplains do not receive new flood protection measures, such as raised embankments, flood barriers, or early warning systems.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has reaffirmed its preparedness to respond to flood-related emergencies, but the government must also work to ensure that informal workers are not left to cope with such disasters alone. This includes providing legal protection, flood-proof infrastructure, and a seat at the decision-making table for those affected by the city’s planning and development.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Gbenga Akinlolu Shadare
