Parts of Abuja were submerged yesterday following a heavy downpour that swept through the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), triggering flooding and severe traffic gridlock across several parts of the capital.

The Airport Road and Lugbe axis were among the worst affected, with flooding also reported around Nile University Junction, along Airport Junction, and Wuye, leaving motorists and commuters struggling to navigate the affected routes.

The flooding on the Airport Road corridor resulted in heavy traffic, with motorists forced to slow down or seek alternative routes as floodwaters accumulated on the highway.

The latest incident, which occurred on September 1, came barely two weeks after parts of the nation’s capital were similarly hit by flooding, raising fresh concerns over the effectiveness of measures being taken by the FCT Administration to tackle the recurring menace.

The development is also coming despite the N2.3 trillion 2026 budget of the FCT, raising questions over the extent to which the huge allocation is translating into adequate drainage infrastructure and effective flood-control measures.

The flooding has triggered strong reactions from residents and other Nigerians online, with some blaming the recurring problem on poor drainage maintenance and unregulated development.

One netizen, Mustapha Shika, said poor maintenance of stormwater drainage was only part of the problem, arguing that continued construction on green areas, floodplains and natural water channels had gradually reduced the pathways available to carry excess water.

“Some of these developments have to be reversed and the waterways restored. Otherwise, we will keep experiencing the same flooding year…” he said.

Another commenter, Variety Vault, blamed the situation on the alleged conversion of Abuja’s green areas for permanent structures, saying: “This is just the beginning.”

The concerns were echoed by another netizen, Adebayo Oluwatosin, who sarcastically questioned the development, saying: “When you allocate water way to your friends what do you expect? Water must find his level.”

For some commuters, the consequences were immediate. Joy Israel said the flooding was so severe that people travelling from Kuje had to stop halfway through their journey.

The recurring flooding is coming against the backdrop of measures by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to demolish structures allegedly built on waterways and drainage channels across the territory.

The administration has maintained that structures obstructing natural waterways contribute to flooding and must be removed to restore the free flow of water.

However, yesterday’s flooding has renewed calls for a broader approach involving improved drainage infrastructure, stricter enforcement of planning regulations and restoration of natural waterways.

The incident has also put renewed scrutiny on the N2.3 trillion 2026 FCT budget, particularly whether the territory’s massive spending plan is adequately addressing one of Abuja residents‘ most persistent infrastructure challenges.