Abuja recorded severe flooding on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, after heavy rainfall submerged sections of major roads, including the Airport Road and areas around Lugbe, disrupting traffic and leaving motorists stranded.
Videos shared on social media showed vehicles navigating deep floodwaters, while residents questioned the state of drainage and infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory.
Airport Road, Lugbe Flooded
Footage shared on X by @ChuksEricE showed large portions of roads covered by floodwater, with some vehicles partially submerged and traffic severely disrupted.
Another video showed a resident describing the situation as evidence that Abuja was becoming like Lagos.
“Abuja is now becoming like Lagos. Once it rains, look at how flooded everywhere is,” the resident said.
Heavy downpours also affected the federal road in Lugbe, reportedly leaving thousands of vehicles trapped as motorists struggled to move through the flooded areas.
Residents Mock Wike
The flooding also prompted sarcastic comments directed at FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
In one video, a resident sitting inside a vehicle gestured towards the flooded road and said: “FCT Minister, Wike, thank you for your good work.”
The comment was widely interpreted online as sarcasm, with residents using the flooding to question the effectiveness of infrastructure and drainage management in the capital.
Flood Risk Raises Concerns
Flooding has affected parts of Abuja during previous rainy seasons, including incidents recorded in 2019, 2022 and earlier in 2026.
Authorities and supporters of the FCT Administration have previously identified factors such as rapid urban development, blocked drainage channels, illegal structures around waterways, waste disposal and the theft of drainage covers as contributors to flooding.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about infrastructure maintenance and development around areas that require adequate drainage and flood-control measures.
The National Flood Early Warning Systems Center had also identified several locations in the FCT, including Lugbe, as areas facing moderate flood risk around late August and early September.
