“It Can Make You Sick, Very Sick” — BBNaija Star Uriel Oputa Issues Strong Warning to Nigerians About the Dangers of Walking in Floodwater

Reality TV star and fitness enthusiast, Uriel Oputa, has raised serious concerns over a practice that many Nigerians have gradually normalized without considering the grave health implications attached to it. In a strongly worded warning shared on her platform, the former Big Brother Naija housemate cautioned Nigerians against the growing trend of wading through floodwater after heavy rainfall, describing it as an extremely hazardous act that could have life-threatening consequences. Her post, which has since sparked widespread discussion across social media, paints a grim picture of what lurks in what many assume to be harmless rainwater.

According to Uriel, what most people fail to realize is that floodwater in Nigerian streets is not simply rain that has pooled on the ground. Instead, it is a toxic mixture of sewage, bacteria, parasites, animal waste, and even human excreta. She emphasized that those who casually step into it are, in reality, exposing themselves to a dangerous cocktail of infections and diseases that could leave them battling severe health issues. In her words, “That water you’re stepping into isn’t just rainwater—it’s mixed with sewage, parasites, bacteria, and even human waste. By walking in it, you’re exposing yourself to skin infections, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, diarrhea, parasitic infections like worms, and even leptospirosis. This is a serious health hazard—it can make you sick, very sick. We cannot normalize something this dangerous.”

Her candid message comes at a time when many parts of Nigeria are grappling with frequent flooding, particularly during the rainy season. In major cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Benin City, streets often become impassable rivers after torrential downpours, forcing residents and commuters to wade through knee-deep or even waist-high water to get to their destinations. Unfortunately, for many who have no other alternative, walking through floodwater has become a way of life, an everyday inconvenience that they would rather endure than miss work, school, or appointments. But Uriel’s warning sheds light on a hidden reality—every casual step in that contaminated water is a direct invitation to serious illness.

Medical experts have long echoed the same concerns raised by Uriel. Floodwater often contains pathogens that cause waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery, which can spread rapidly and claim lives in a matter of days if left untreated. The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that floods in developing countries create ideal conditions for outbreaks of cholera and typhoid fever, given the poor waste management and drainage systems that contaminate water supplies. In Nigeria, these warnings are not mere hypotheticals; cholera outbreaks have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years, with many traced back to poor hygiene and contact with contaminated water. Uriel’s reminder, therefore, is both timely and necessary.

Beyond gastrointestinal diseases, walking in floodwater can also cause skin infections and parasitic infestations. Many Nigerians who wade through water during floods later complain of itchy rashes, boils, or fungal infections on their legs, symptoms that are often dismissed as minor irritations but can escalate into more serious conditions if untreated. Floodwater also carries a risk of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease spread through animal urine, particularly from rodents. This disease, which many are unaware of, can cause high fever, jaundice, kidney damage, or even death if not diagnosed on time. By highlighting these dangers in such blunt terms, Uriel is not just warning Nigerians but also sounding an alarm for public health officials to pay more attention to flood-related health hazards.

Her post has ignited conversations among Nigerians, many of whom shared personal experiences of falling ill after coming into contact with floodwater. One social media user recalled developing a severe skin infection that took weeks to heal after wading through a flooded street in Lagos. Another narrated how a relative contracted typhoid fever following a particularly bad flood in Port Harcourt. These testimonies serve as real-life proof of the hidden dangers Uriel is warning against, showing that her concerns are far from exaggerated.

What makes her warning even more important is the cultural tendency among Nigerians to normalize suffering and adapt to unsafe conditions. In a country where infrastructure challenges mean that floods are almost inevitable every rainy season, many people have resigned themselves to the reality of walking through water to survive daily life. But as Uriel rightly pointed out, normalization does not equal safety. By calling on Nigerians to rethink this behavior, she is urging the public to prioritize health over convenience and to demand better solutions from authorities.

Her advocacy also touches on the larger issue of environmental and infrastructural negligence in Nigeria. Flooding in urban areas is often the result of poor drainage systems, clogged gutters, and unplanned urban development. As rainfall continues to increase due to climate change, these problems will only worsen unless proactive steps are taken. While individuals must avoid floodwater for their own safety, the responsibility also lies with the government to ensure proper waste disposal, improve drainage systems, and invest in flood control measures to protect citizens. Without such interventions, Nigerians will remain trapped in the vicious cycle of flooding and disease outbreaks year after year.

Uriel’s influence as a public figure makes her message even more powerful. As a former BBNaija star with a large following, her voice reaches young Nigerians who may not ordinarily pay attention to health advisories from medical professionals or government agencies. By framing the issue in relatable and straightforward terms—“It can make you sick, very sick”—she has cut through the noise and delivered a message that resonates with her audience. For many of her followers, this stark warning may be the first time they fully grasp the true danger of walking in floodwater.

Her statement is not just a caution but a call to action. It challenges individuals to protect themselves by avoiding contact with floodwater whenever possible, wearing protective footwear if they must step into it, and practicing proper hygiene immediately afterward. It also calls on communities to unite in demanding better environmental management and infrastructure from local authorities. By raising awareness, she has contributed to a much-needed public health conversation, one that could potentially save lives during this rainy season and beyond.

In a country where celebrity influence often dominates social conversations, Uriel Oputa has chosen to use her platform for an important cause—public health and safety. Her words serve as a wake-up call to Nigerians who may have grown accustomed to dangerous practices without realizing the long-term risks. The reality, as she bluntly put it, is that floodwater is not just dirty water; it is a dangerous breeding ground for diseases that can cripple families and overwhelm hospitals. And while some may dismiss her warning as overly dramatic, the scientific evidence and lived experiences of many Nigerians prove otherwise.

As the rains continue to fall across the nation, her message is one that should not be taken lightly. Avoiding floodwater may not always be easy, especially in a country where alternatives are scarce, but awareness is the first step toward prevention. If Nigerians heed Uriel’s warning, they could save themselves from countless illnesses and complications that come from something as seemingly harmless as stepping into water on the street. In the end, her message is clear: do not normalize danger, do not gamble with your health, and do not underestimate the silent killer that is floodwater.