ASSESSMENT OF POLICIES AND CHALLENGES WITH FLOOD DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of flood disaster management policies and practices in Lagos State, Nigeria. It employed a positivist research philosophy and a deductive approach, utilising an online survey to gather quantitative data from 158 stakeholders. The key findings include a mean rating of policy effectiveness at 2.58 out of 5, indicating a perception of ineffectiveness, with a high standard deviation reflecting diverse opinions. Major recommendations for improvement include infrastructure development (84.8%), community involvement and awareness programs (75.9%), stricter urban planning regulations (69.6%), early warning systems (65.2%), strengthened coordination among agencies (67.1%), and increased funding (57%). The study highlights the complex challenges in implementing effective flood management policies, such as resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and institutional inefficiencies. It suggests aligning infrastructure investments with community participation and education to enhance preparedness and response, particularly in vulnerable areas. The findings contribute to the understanding of flood governance issues in rapidly urbanizing coastal regions and provide insights for policymakers and practitioners to improve flood disaster management in Lagos State.