The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), held a Press Briefing today on a flood sensitisation and preparedness programme aimed at reducing disaster risk and strengthening early warning systems across Lagos State.
The programme, held at the Folarin Coker Hall, Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by local government officials, community leaders, market associations, transport unions, and civil society organisations to review evacuation protocols, flood vulnerability maps, and community-level response plans ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
Speaking at the press briefing, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, said the state is shifting from a reactive to a responsive approach to disaster management.
He said, “Lagos is a coastal megacity with over 22 million residents and extensive waterways. While this drives economic growth, it also exposes us to recurrent flooding. In 2025, over 1,100 emergency incidents were recorded, many linked to flooding. Our focus for 2026 is prevention, early warning, and community-level preparedness. Response alone is no longer sufficient”.
Also addressing the media, Mr. Akinyode Saheed, South-West Coordinator, NEMA, emphasised the importance of federal-state alignment in disaster risk reduction.
“NEMA is committed to supporting Lagos State with technical expertise, early warning data, and relief resources where needed. Our joint operations protocol ensures that when an incident escalates beyond state capacity, federal response is triggered without delay. Preparedness is a shared mandate, and today’s engagement shows that collaboration is working", Mr. Akinyode said.
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