Africa's most populous city is battling floods and rising seas. It may soon be unlivable, experts warn

By Nimi Princewill

Residents of Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, are used to the yearly floods that engulf the coastal city during the months of March to November. In mid-July, however, the major business district of Lagos Island experienced one of its worst floods in recent years.

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Every year!!!! Same same in Lagos!!
Nothing is ever done about flooding but to tell citizens to move.....
Pls keep your saloon cars at home o.
Even SUVs dey swim pic.twitter.com/bN31UuLOzK

— Kate Henshaw (@HenshawKate) July 16, 2021

Global sea levels have been predicted to rise more than 6 feet (2 meters) by the end of this century.

This leaves Lagos, which experts say is less than two meters above sea, in a precarious state, given that a chunk of Nigeria's coastline is low-lying. In a study from 2012, the UK's University of Plymouth found that a sea-level rise of just 3 to 9 feet (about 1 to 3 meters) "will have a catastrophic effect on the human activities" in Nigerian coastal environments.

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I bring you update from Lagos island.
Swim your way home and be safe.#Lekki#Lagos pic.twitter.com/gtwOjpqktP

— Jae (@BelindaIjeoma) July 16, 2021

Authorities in Lagos have since commenced the clearing of the state's water channels to mitigate perennial flooding.

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has also expressed the country's willingness to partner with global allies in tackling climate change.

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