Lagos In 2100.
My FiRst ATtemPt aT FiCtioN WriTiNg…
It’s 2100 and Lagos has really developed almost as much as we want it to; there’s a 4th Mainland Bridge linking from Ikorodu all the way to the Island, the street opposite the main gate of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) finally has tarred road, high rise buildings are more common in different parts of the state, elevated trains have now become a standard across the state as opposed to in 2023 when the first train station linking Marina to Mile 12 was inaugurated, and the infrastructural and economical developments go on and on . Many people would say Lagos is starting to live up to its Mega city title!
But while all these developments went on, Lagos and her people forget the state is only but an Island (a land surrounded by water) and it forgot to care and plan for the water. Development and economic growth are still concentrated on the island, with buildings constantly eating up into parts of the ocean. A lot of buildings are still unstructured without proper drainage system and as such there’s constant flooding of the streets during raining season. For some years now properties in Lagos have actually been destroyed by water during the raining season but no one is conscious enough to know the situation is only but a ticking time bomb 💣! In many cases the government and residents of Lagos employ short-term solutions to a long-term problem. To make matters worse, some Lagosian still see the rain as a means to dispose their wastes; once it’s raining they dispose their waste in running water and that eventually goes on to clog the few drainage systems we have.
In 2100 the rains are very heavy largely influenced by the constant burning of fossil fuel and how that affects global warming. Lagos residents still largely run petrol/diesel powered vehicles and the government as well as industries have not been conscious enough of how much carbon we emit and how that impacts our environment. The very heavy rains + little-to ineffective drainage systems + further encroaching of the ocean space + …. all leads to massive flooding of the entire state. It starts from the “island”, spreads through the state’s capital and through the “mainland”. Remember Lagos is such a small state by Land mass, so it doesn’t take long for everywhere to get flooded.
Imagine half of NECOM House submerged in water or about 3/4 of UBA House submerged in water? Yes, that’s how bad it gets in 2100! The flooding goes on for about 7 days. On the eighth day the water is calmer and is retreating back into the ocean. But Lagos and the entire world understands how bad of a loss this is. Some analysts predict it will take the state about 20 years to come close to the level of growth and development it previously had. Others say, nature has given the state an opportunity to learn and rebuild the right way. They try to see the silver lining in the chaos and say the state will come out stronger and better.
Zoom Out: According to reports from Climate Central, EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit) and research as far back as 2012, Lagos is predicted to be fully submerged in water by 2100. Some reports even predict it could be a permanent action. The reports attributes the impending catastrophe to rising sea levels caused primarily by climate change further encouraged by sand mining from the ocean for construction works, reclaiming land from the ocean and the unlawful dumping of refuse into waterways.
I am a Lagosian by birth, family history and every metric there is. Lagos is one of those places I have an unending bias and love for and I’m always proud to attribute myself with her. I really hope come 2100 Lagos is still solid on the ground, better developed and a world-class mega city! I hope my kids and their kids get to experience Lagos and maybe spend time here.
“Although this is entirely imaginative and fictional, the threats are obviously there. This is a call to everyone to do their part in ensuring Lagos is around for a long long time.”
See you in 2100!!
In contrast, if this were a physical ceremony and I had just spoken to you, you would be required to stand up and applaud — too stressful. On Medium, you only have to tap a button; 20, 50, or 100 times to let me know you liked what you read! Post your comments and share this others so they may enjoy too.. xoxo
