Analysis of Post-Flood Recovery Strategies of Street-Life Population in Lagos-Ogun Corridor, Nigeria
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Date
2025-12
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Lead City University, Ibadan
Abstract
Flooding is increasing globally due to intense rainfall, rapid urbanization, and climate change, with Lagos experiencing repeated events worsened by poor drainage and settlement expansion. While disaster recovery studies in Nigeria often emphasize housing and infrastructure, little is known about how street-life populations, such as homeless persons, hawkers, migrants, casual labourers, and street children cope and recover. These groups are mobile, hidden, and excluded from policy frameworks. This study examined post-flood recovery strategies among street-based populations in six communities across Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, and Ifo at the Lagos–Ogun Corridor using a mixed-methods design. Data were collected through 17 in-depth interviews, 3 focus group discussions, and 57 structured surveys. Quantitative analysis employed descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon rank-sum, Kruskal–Wallis), and cross-tabulations, while qualitative narratives were thematically analysed. Findings show the population was predominantly male (63%), young (48% youths), and migrant (89%), earning less than ₦10,000 weekly in unstable jobs. Median flood exposure was 2 events in 5 years; 42.1% faced knee–waist water, 57.9% evacuated, 26.3% fell sick, and only 5.3% received warnings. Asset losses included clothing (42.1%), money (35.1%), and tools (22.8%). Coping was dominated by prayer (M = 3.39) and religious activities (M = 3.11), while reframing was least used (M = 1.91). Informal support systems such as friends (68.4%), neighbours (33.3%), religious groups (31.6%) were the only safety nets; 0% reported formal aid, with low
institutional trust (median = 2). The Street-Based Recovery Index (SBRI) revealed 19.3% very low recovery, 70.2% partial recovery, and 10.5% high recovery, with livelihood and migrant status as key determinants. The study recommends improved disaster data capturing across social identities. Overall, recovery remains precarious and exclusionary, while the SBRI offers a novel framework for measuring resilience and guiding inclusive disaster planning in Lagos.
Keywords: Flood Disaster, Post-Disaster, Recovery Index, Street Life Population, Post-Flood Recovery Strategies
Word Count: 294
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Keywords
Flood Disaster, Post-Disaster, Recovery Index, Street Life Population, Post-Flood Recovery Strategies
Citation
Kate Turabian