For the umpteenth time, heavy rains turned major parts of Lagos into rivers, leaving homes flooded and commuters stranded in endless traffic. From Lekki to Mile 2, residents were forced to wade through murky waters, businesses were disrupted, and cars broke down in the chaos. It is an experience Lagosians know too well, one that comes back every rainy season like clockwork.

In a swift response, the Lagos State Government apologized, blaming the disaster on torrential rainfall, tidal effects, illegal buildings on waterways, and the reckless dumping of refuse in drains. Yet for many, these apologies feel like a broken record, repeated year after year while the floods keep coming.

The bigger question remains: why has the story not changed? Despite demolitions, drainage upgrades, and environmental campaigns, the same problem persists. Some point to weak enforcement of building laws, others to poor urban planning, and still others to citizens who treat waterways like dumps. 

But can nothing be done? Experts argue that the city needs more than quick fixes and apologies, it needs bold investment, stricter enforcement, and genuine community responsibility. Until government and citizens take ownership together, Lagos may continue to sink a little deeper each rainy season, with residents left wondering if the “Centre of Excellence” can ever truly rise above the flood.