A large-scale flood simulation exercise has been conducted in Agboyi-Ketu community in Lagos, bringing together emergency agencies, security services, and humanitarian organisations in a coordinated effort to test the state’s preparedness against recurrent flooding.
The exercise, part of the Italian Government–funded Flood Resilience Project, was organised by the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), with the active participation of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Nigerian Navy, Fire Service, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), and the Ministry of Water Resources.
Addressing participants, Lagos State branch chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mrs. Adebola Kolawole, said that the exercise was a timely intervention that would help local communities reduce the devastating impact of floods.
“This project equips volunteers and households with practical knowledge to save lives during emergencies. We are particularly focused on protecting the most vulnerable such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people living with disabilities,” Kolawole stated.
She expressed appreciation to the Italian Government and IFRC for funding and supporting the initiative, stressing that the lessons from the simulation would be cascaded into local communities through trained volunteers.
Also speaking, Assistant Director of Search and Rescue at NEMA, Mrs. Ibitayo Adenike, explained that Agboyi-Ketu community was deliberately chosen for the exercise due to its history of recurring floods.
“We have had to intervene in this community many times. Beyond distributing relief, we have consistently sensitised residents on proper waste disposal and environmental care. Today’s simulation allows us to test our response strategies, identify gaps, and strengthen inter-agency coordination,” she said.
On his part, Lieutenant S. Agan of the Nigerian Navy underscored the role of the armed forces in search and rescue operations during disasters.
“The Navy remains prepared to deploy divers, boats, and armed escorts in support of civilian agencies. Exercises like this ensure that when a real flood happens, our response is faster and more effective,” She assured.
Remember that Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub of over 20 million residents, is among the country’s most flood-prone states. Rising sea levels, unregulated urbanisation, poor drainage systems, and climate change have combined to trigger devastating floods in recent years, displacing families and destroying property. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has repeatedly warned of increased flood risks across the state, heightening calls for preparedness.
Stakeholders at the simulation commended the proactive approach, pledging continued collaboration to protect communities. The exercise is expected to serve as a model for similar disaster-preparedness drills across the other 11 Nigerian states participating in the resilience project.