Annual flooding crisis: Can we get it right this time?
Nigeria continues to grapple with the devastating consequences of flooding, a crisis that has worsened significantly over the years due to a combination of climate change, poor urban planning, and inadequate infrastructure. The country’s long history of major flood events is a stark reminder that without deliberate and sustained efforts, the situation is bound to deteriorate further.
In 2012, Nigeria experienced one of the worst flood disasters in its history. That year, torrents of water swept through central states along the Rivers Niger and Benue, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Infrastructure was severely damaged, farmlands were ruined, and entire communities were thrown into chaos. The socio-economic fallout was immense, disrupting lives and livelihoods on a large scale.
The 2024 flood disaster in Borno State was another grim episode. Triggered by intense rainfall and the collapse of the Alau Dam, the flooding submerged over 70 percent of affected communities. More than 419,000 people were displaced, and at least 150 lives were lost. This tragedy unfolded in the shadow of countless similar disasters between 1985 and 2014, all of which underscore a disturbing pattern of increasing flood frequency and severity.
Flooding in Nigeria is fuelled by multiple causes, including dam failures, unregulated construction, and extreme weather patterns linked to climate change. Its impacts are far-reaching: fatalities, displacement, and the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and sources of income. By 2024, the scale of flooding had grown into a full-blown humanitarian crisis, affecting 31 states and 180 local government areas.
What is urgently required now is a shift from reactive disaster management to comprehensive flood risk reduction. This means integrating flood mitigation strategies into urban development plans across all tiers of government. Proactive planning and enforcement of building regulations must become the norm, not the exception.
There must also be significant investment in flood-control infrastructure. The federal, state, and local governments need to work in tandem to build and maintain dams, levees, and water retention facilities. Beyond infrastructure, Nigeria must engage more actively in addressing the root causes of climate change to reduce the intensity of future flooding events.
Early warning systems are another vital component of effective flood management. The Federal Government should accelerate the deployment of robust forecasting and alert mechanisms in flood-prone areas. Communities must be adequately informed ahead of time to prepare for possible displacement.
To its credit, the Federal Government has initiated several interventions aimed at curbing the damage caused by flooding. Public enlightenment campaigns have been rolled out to educate residents of vulnerable areas on how to prepare for floods. In states like Kwara and Ogun, efforts are underway to dredge water channels to enhance water flow during heavy rains. Other states are relocating at-risk communities from floodplains and riverbanks to higher, safer grounds.
Drainage clearing has also been prioritised to ensure that blocked waterways do not exacerbate flood incidents. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency is actively issuing flood forecasts to aid in preparedness, while collaboration among state governments, emergency agencies, and local communities has helped coordinate response efforts.
Despite these commendable steps, there is still much to be done. Awareness campaigns must be intensified by all relevant agencies to foster a culture of preparedness. Residents of coastal and low-lying areas should be encouraged to move to upland regions, where the risk of inundation is lower. Frontline states should take responsibility for identifying evacuation zones and ensuring that displaced individuals receive adequate shelter, food, and medical support.
In the long term, mitigating flood impacts will also involve building dams to store excess water, which can then be used for agriculture and irrigation. Water and flood barriers should be constructed to help manage water movement. Importantly, each state should identify the specific drivers of flooding within its territory and apply targeted preventive strategies accordingly.
Flood prevention demands both institutional reforms and behavioural change. Governments must guarantee that drainage channels are kept open at all times. Developers must follow legal procedures and avoid obstructing natural waterways with unapproved construction.
Agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) must act promptly to ensure mitigation efforts are in place before the rains begin. Early warning systems and community education initiatives must be scaled up without delay.
With concerted action from all levels of government and cooperation from the public, Nigeria can turn the tide against devastating floods. The time for half-measures is over. If the country is to avoid a repeat of the disasters that have plagued its recent past, the response must be swift, coordinated, and uncompromising.
