Lagos Residents Lament Decaying Roads, Flooded Streets, and Government Inaction
Story: written by Okafor Jsoeph October 23,2025
Across several communities in Lagos State, residents are crying out over the worsening condition of roads and persistent flooding that has turned daily life into a nightmare. Many neighborhoods, once known for their serenity, now struggle with impassable streets, damaged drainage systems, and homes submerged after every rainfall.
At the Oyadiran Estate in Yaba, what was once a smooth drive has become a maze of deep potholes, broken asphalt, and stagnant pools of muddy water. Each rainfall transforms the area into a flood zone, as blocked drains overflow, submerging houses and shops.
Residents say the situation has become unbearable. “Driving through this estate is agony,” lamented Kunle Adebayo, a resident. “We fix our cars almost every week. Politicians come with promises during elections but disappear afterward. Nothing has changed.”
For Mike Ojo, a small business owner, the problem has gone beyond inconvenience. “I’ve lost goods worth thousands of naira to floods. The water flows into my shop because the drainages are blocked. It’s heartbreaking,” she said.
Another resident, Ismail Adewale, described life in the area as “a daily struggle.” According to him, “Each time it rains, tricycles break down in the flood. Children can’t go to school easily. We’ve been abandoned by those in power.”
Health and safety concerns are also mounting as stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. With no proper drainage and poor street lighting, the flooded roads have become death traps for motorists at night.
The chairman of the Oyadiran Estate Residents Association, Tayo Ogunyeye, said the issue had reached a crisis point. “This is no longer just about inconvenience; it’s a public health emergency. We need the government to completely redesign and rebuild the drainage system,” he stated.
When contacted, the Yaba LCDA Chairman, Bayo Adefuye, declined to comment on the matter, saying, “The issue cannot be discussed on the phone.”
The same ordeal plays out in Amuwo Odofin and Festac Town, where most major roads have collapsed. From First to Seventh Avenue, and inner streets alike, the roads are riddled with craters and completely waterlogged.
In Festac Extension Estate, floods have turned open spaces into mosquito havens. Residents say construction on drainages began last year but has since stalled. “It looks like they’re delaying the work for political reasons,” said Marcellus Onah, a lawyer. “Once it rains, we can’t drive out for a whole day or two. The situation is horrible.”
Another resident, Kolade Ademola, expressed frustration at the government’s neglect. “Festac used to be beautiful, but today it’s a shadow of itself. Successive leaders have allowed the roads to collapse completely. It’s a shame,” he said.
Ademola, however, noted that the new local government chairman has begun minor repairs and urged him to continue. “He shouldn’t follow in the footsteps of his predecessors. The people deserve better roads and honest leadership,” he added.
Residents across Yaba, Amuwo Odofin, and Festac continue to hope that the state and local governments will take urgent action before the next rainy season brings more hardship and destruction.
