News Agency of Nigeria
Poor drainage systems worsening urban flooding — Expert
Environment

Poor drainage systems worsening urban flooding — Expert

By Patricia Amogu

A petroleum engineer and environmentalist, Mr Charles Deigh, has attributed the recurring cases of urban flooding in Nigeria to poor design, construction, and maintenance of drainage systems across major cities.

Deigh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that inadequate and blocked drainage channels had continued to worsen flooding, especially during the rainy season.

He said that while climate change and heavy rainfall contribute to flooding, the lack of effective drainage infrastructure remained the major cause of the recurring disasters.

“In most Nigerian cities, drains are either undersized, poorly built, or completely blocked with waste.

“When stormwater cannot flow into canals and rivers, it finds its way into homes, roads and markets, causing massive damage,” he said.

Deigh cited Lagos as one of the worst-hit states, where recent heavy rains submerged areas such as Lekki, the 3rd Mainland Bridge, Ago Palace Way, Ayobo-Ipaja, Fola Osibo, and Sangotedo, resulting in the destruction of property worth billions of naira.

According to him, similar situations have been recorded in Bayelsa, Benue, Anambra, Imo, Rivers, and Niger states.

He said that apart from the damage to infrastructure, floodwaters often mix with refuse and sewage, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.

“Children are especially vulnerable. Flooding also causes huge economic losses as roads, markets, and businesses are destroyed.

“Commerce halts when roads are flooded, goods are destroyed, and transport is disrupted.

“Every flood season drains government resources that should have been channelled into long-term infrastructure,” he said.

Deigh called for urgent preventive measures, stressing that flood prevention must replace emergency response in Nigeria’s approach to flood management.

“Flooding in Nigeria is not only a natural disaster; it is a product of neglect and weak governance.

“Unless we take deliberate steps to upgrade our drainage systems, every rainy season will continue to be a season of fear,” he said.

He urged the government to enforce building codes, expand and desilt drainage channels regularly, and provide functional waste management systems to prevent blockages.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier warned that most parts of the country would experience above-normal rainfall in 2025.

The agency urged states to strengthen flood-prevention measures and improve urban drainage systems. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NiHSA warns of imminent downstream flooding
Environment

NiHSA warns of imminent downstream flooding

By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) on Thursday warned of imminent downstream flooding as Rivers Niger and Benue, along with their tributaries, had risen to peak levels.

The Director-General of NiHSA, Umar  Mohammed, issued the alert in Abuja while giving an update on the flow conditions of rivers and the water levels in major dams across the country.

Mohammed said the development had heightened the risk of flooding in vulnerable communities along the Niger–Benue basin and called for immediate precautionary measures.

According to him, Rivers Rima, Kaduna and Gongola, which are major tributaries of the two rivers, have also attained peak discharge, further increasing the risk to surrounding towns and farmlands.

He said several large dams in the country were recording surges in reservoir levels as a result of the peak of the rainy season.

“Kainji and Jebba dams located on River Niger are currently spilling excess water to maintain their designed safety levels.

“This situation is posing threats to nearby communities such as Kainji, Patigi, New Bussa, Borgu, Mokwa, Jebba, Gungu, Gana, Fanga, Bele, Bere, Gaba and Baro,” he said.

The D-G explained that Zungeru Dam on River Kaduna was not spilling, but noted that its reservoir level had risen to 229.15 metres while the downstream water level was 134.17 metres.

He said Goronyo Dam in Sokoto State had filled to its maximum design capacity of 288 metres and was spilling at maximum rate.

“This situation is already causing flooding in downstream and upstream communities, particularly in Goronyo, Wamako, Shinaka Yerimawa, Kurukuru and environs,” he added.

On Kiri Dam in Adamawa, Mohammed said it was also spilling, with the downstream water level at 8.42 metres, leading to flooding in Kiri, Tallum, Banjiram, Purokayo-Lakumna and Shelleng.

He explained that the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, which had often been linked to floods in Nigeria, was not spilling at present.

“The current water level at Lagdo is 37 metres, which is below its maximum design height of 40 metres. This means there is still a storage capacity of about three metres.

“The flooding being experienced in Adamawa, especially in Yola North, Yola South, Girei and Numan, is mainly due to heavy rainfall and internally generated runoff within the River Benue catchment,” he said.

Mohammed said NiHSA would continue to monitor the situation closely and share timely updates with authorities and the public.

He urged state governments, emergency agencies and residents in flood-prone communities along Rivers Niger and Benue to take proactive measures to safeguard lives and property.

“The agency is working in close coordination with dam operators to mitigate the downstream impacts.

“However, communities must play their part by relocating from floodplains, protecting valuables and adhering to early warning advisories,” he added.

The DG stressed that while technical interventions were ongoing, community awareness and preparedness remained key to reducing the losses from this year’s floods. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Stakeholders converge to tackle flooding, other emergencies
Environment

Stakeholders converge to tackle flooding, other emergencies

 

 

 

 

 

By Yetunde Fatungase

Stakeholders from the six South-West states on Tuesday converged on Ijebu-Ode for a three-day multi-sectoral emergency preparedness workshop to address flooding and other emergencies bedeviling the region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the Oyo State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Presenting a paper, UNICEF’s Emergency Specialist, Abuja, Mr Olayinka Afolabi, linked recurring flooding and cholera outbreaks in many south-west states to poor sanitation and open defecation.

 

He said a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) risk analysis identified Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun as states vulnerable to cholera due to sanitation challenges.

 

According to Afolabi, citing NEMA’s countrywide risk analysis, 64 suspected cholera cases were recorded as of week 30 (July) with no fatalities, representing a 0.0 per cent case fatality rate.

 

Afolabi added that the figure showed a 74 per cent decrease compared to cases reported in week 29.

 

“Cumulatively from week one to 30, 113 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 2.4 per cent from 4,708 suspected cases.

 

“In total for 2025, 35 states have recorded at least one suspected case across 199 local government areas,” he said.

 

Afolabi, however, identified four planning processes for emergency preparedness to include, risk analysis, scenarios, anticipated response, and preparedness.

 

He noted that emergencies were part of human existence but lack of preparedness and response continued to exacerbate the impact on communities and hindered recovery efforts.

He added that focus must be on reducing disaster risk and improving preparedness.

He urged government at all levels to equip agencies that managed disasters and support emergency preparedness.

 

He explained that “if you spend two dollars on emergency preparedness, you save between six and eight thousand dollars that would otherwise be spent if the emergency actually occurs.”

 

Outlining the objectives of the workshop, Mr Oluwasola Olanipekun, UNICEF Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Specialist, stressed the need for activating contingency plans backed by effective response.

 

Olanipekun said the workshop aimed to strengthen coordination of emergency management across south-west states, while ensuring that children and women — the most vulnerable groups during crises — remained a priority in all response efforts.

 

“Once emergency happens, we need to activate our plans for effective response,” he said.

He tasked each state to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures for coordinating response to emergencies.

In his welcome address, Mr Rotimi Babalola, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, said the goal of the meeting was to strengthen the collective readiness of key stakeholders in emergency response.

He noted that emergencies required timely, coordinated and multi-sectoral action, hence, the need for preparedness.

Babalola urged participants to actively engage in discussions, exchange ideas, and translate the outcomes of the workshop into actionable measures in their respective states.

“Emergencies as we all know, do not give prior notice. They demand timely, coordinated and multi-sectoral action.

“This workshop, therefore, provides us with a unique platform to share knowledge, review strategies, and build stronger collaboration across sectors and states.

He expressed confidence that “the skills, partnerships, and action plans developed here will go a long way in saving lives, reducing risks, and safeguarding our communities.” (NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

Senate urges FG to investigate Mokwa flood, others
Environment , Politics

Senate urges FG to investigate Mokwa flood, others

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to investigate the flood in Mokwa, Niger recently and similar incidents in other parts of the country.

This, according to the upper chamber, is with a view to providing long-term solutions, including improved and sustainable flood control infrastructure and early warning systems to forestall future occurrence

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate’s resolutions were sequel to a motion moved by Sen. Peter Jiya (PDP-Niger) and co-sponsored by no fewer than 20 senators during plenary on Tuesday.

The motion was titled: “Catastrophic Flood Disaster in Mokwa, Niger state and Need for Proactive Action to Forestall Future Occurrence.”

NAN also reports that the senate observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives to the flood.

The upper legislative chamber also urged the federal government to prioritise prompt execution of the relief packages promised during the visit of the vice-president to the flood scene.

Moving the motion, Jiya recalled that on May 29 and May 30, a devastating flood swept through the town of Mokwa in Niger after a heavy rainfall.

“This resulted in unprecedented loss of lives and widespread destruction of private and public properties worth more than N10 billion.

“From the casualties recorded from the disaster, over 700 people lost their lives, including pupils from four Islamic schools but only about 300 bodies were physically accounted for.

“Critical infrastructure were not left out of the disaster, as the rail line uprooted two bridges, collapsed roads,” he said.

Jiya said that he had, in the early days of the present administration in 2023, written the Ecological Fund Office on the need to carry out urgent works on the inactive river ways in Mokwa and Kutigi towns which were prone to flooding.

“But the fund is yet to make progress in this regard in spite of earlier warnings issued by the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) of imminent heavy rainfall and flooding in vulnerable parts of the country, including Niger state,” he said.

The senator further stated that in spite of the warnings, the measures put in place by the relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to forestall the occurrence was not significantly felt.

He said that the Federal Government had responded and intervened through the visit of the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), among others.

“However, due to the magnitude of the disaster and the massive casualties recorded, the resources provided have been overwhelmed, hence the need to scale up relief intervention measures to alleviate the sufferings and hardships faced by affected victims,” he said.

Contributing, Sen. Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra) described the flood as “a very monumental tragedy to all of us as a nation.

“Mr President, this was a disaster that was to come based on warnings, as contained in this motion paper and people left what they should do.

“And this flood now came and swept away lives and property in this monumental proportion”.

According to Umeh, the situation calls for preparation by the concerned agencies to begin to put measures in place as the rains may be high in July.

Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over plenary, expressed sympathy to the government and people of Niger over the disaster. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Mokwa: NOA sensitises communities on early sign of flooding 
Environment

Mokwa: NOA sensitises communities on early sign of flooding 

By Rita Iliya

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it has begun sensitisation campaign to communities to prevent future occurrence and mitigate its impact on residents.

 

The Director General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this during a sympathy visit to victims of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger.

 

“It is very important to prevent disasters when we listen and take precautions.

 

“We have mobilised our staff at the state and local government levels to work with other stakeholders.

 

“They are to ensure those who lost their lives are taken care of as well those who sustained injuries are also taken care of,” he said.

 

Issa-Onilu said that NOA was working with other agencies to fumigate affected areas and ensure safety in Mokwa town.

 

He said the agencies had also mobilised its staff to conduct early warning system in flood prone areas.

 

According to him, NOA is working with local government authorities to sensitise communities on flood safety and prevention.

 

He said the agency would continue to educate people on flood dangers and ensure people take necessary precautions.

 

He said after the annual flood prediction by the NiMET, which identified 12 states as high-risk, the agency embarked on early warnings sensitisation with local authorities. (NAN)

Edited by Joe Idika

Boosting post-flood farming through ‘Residual Moisture Crop Production’ in Kebbi
Agriculture , Features

Boosting post-flood farming through ‘Residual Moisture Crop Production’ in Kebbi

By Muhammad Lawal, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Flooding is a natural disaster that happens when water spills over into usually dry land, often resulting in extensive damage.

It can be caused by heavy downpours or human factors such as deforestation and inadequate urban planning.

Nigeria has faced severe river and coastal flooding, leading to substantial destruction.

In 2012, excessive rainfall caused the Niger and Benue Rivers to overflow, impacting communities across 30 states.

Over 2.3 million people were displaced, more than 360 lives were lost, and economic losses reached ₦2.6 trillion ($7.4 billion).

A decade later, in 2022, another major flood affected 33 states, displacing 1.4 million people and killing over 600.

Kogi, Anambra, and Bayelsa were among the worst affected due to intense rainfall and the release of water from Ladgo Dam in Cameroon.

Evidently, the consequences of flooding are severe, ranging from loss of life and destruction of property to economic hardship and displacement of entire communities.

Albeit the inevitability of floods, analysts believe that proactive measures can help mitigate their impact.

According to them, floodplain management, control structures, early warnings, and watershed management are crucial for reducing risks and improving preparedness.

They argued that to safeguard communities, Nigeria must prioritise urban drainage improvements, river dredging, and enhanced flood mitigation policies.

Kebbi was among the hardest-hit areas during the 2024 rainy season, with devastating floods leaving many farmers impoverished and homeless.

Media reports indicate that severe flooding in the state in 2024 affected 16 of its 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs), with Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Ngaski, Jega, and others worst hit.

The disaster destroyed about 329,000 homes and submerged 858,000 hectares of farmland used for rice, millet, sorghum, and beans.

Tragically, 29 people died, with fatalities recorded in Ngaski, Maiyama, Kalgo, Jega, and Birnin Kebbi.

To support farmers and mitigate crop losses, Gov. Nasir Idris introduced the ‘Residual Moisture for Cultivation of Crops’ strategy.

This method uses moisture left by the floods to irrigate fast-growing crops, helping farmers recover and turn adversity into opportunity.

The initiative provided farmers with improved seeds for potatoes, cassava, and maize, as well as fertilisers and chemicals; all free of charge.

The goal was to help them recover their losses and resume normal agricultural activities.

Under the scheme, no fewer than 16,000 farmers benefitted from government support to rebuild their livelihoods.

During an inspection tour of the affected communities, Alhaji Shehu Ma’azu, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Kebbi, provided insights into the programme’s objectives.

He revealed that the pilot scheme was implemented in Raha (Bunza LGA), Bahindin Bagugo (Bagudo LGA), and Mayalo (Maiyama LGA), where farmers received essential agricultural inputs.

“When the devastating floods struck, the state government, through this ministry, promptly supplied improved seeds, fertilisers, and chemicals to support affected farmers.

“We are happy that the selected farmers used the seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs supplied to them very well. Today, we are here to inspect what you have done and report back to the governor what we saw.

“Glory be to God Almighty, these people have recovered, and the seeds supplied to them were fantastic as they yielded the desired results,” Ma’azu stated.

Similarly, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, Commissioner for Information and Culture, underscored the importance of food security, urging farmers to remain steadfast in their work.

“Everybody’s concern today is about what to eat, indicating that food is critical to human existence.

“Farm is wealth,” he remarked, encouraging farmers to stay committed to agriculture.

He also called on communities to pray for the success of Gov. Idris’ administration, which has prioritised youth and farmer empowerment.

The initiative has been widely praised by the beneficiaries, with many confirming its positive impact on their lives.

Speaking on behalf of the affected farmers, Alhaji Abubakar Walin-Raha, who represented the District Head of Raha, commended the governor for his foresight and proactive approach.

“We are very happy that these seeds are extremely good. We used them and saw how effective they are.

“We want to plead with the state government to assist us with pumping machines so that we can embark on irrigation of these three crops,” he appealed.

Similarly, Malam Bala Dan-Malam, a peasant farmer in Raha, expressed deep appreciation for the government’s intervention.

He noted that the initiative had boosted their morale and improved their farming methods.

He also urged the state government to consider expanding the scheme into an all-year-round farming system to ensure continuous agricultural productivity.

Other farmers shared their experiences and hopes for the future.

Alhaji Bawa Sani, Sarkin Noman Raha, emphasised the need for continued government support.

“We are very grateful to the Kauran Gwandu administration. This scheme has actually turned our pains into wealth because all those who participated are now very happy due to high yields.

“As farmers, we would be delighted if this scheme is extended to others affected by floods across the state. I believe this will go a long way in cushioning the effects of the disaster”.

Likewise, Alhaji Tukur Umar, District Head of Bahindin Bagugo, confirmed that after planting the seeds, he also received three truckloads of fertiliser, which he distributed among 40 village heads in his district.

A veteran farmer, Malam Abubakar Mai-Kifi, who has been in agriculture for over 40 years, described the government-provided maize seeds as the best he had ever used.

Another beneficiary, Malam Musa Mai-Dala’ilu, revealed how the initiative had encouraged more people, including those who had never farmed before, to embrace agriculture.

Also, Alhaji Muhammad Sani, Marafan Mayalo, expressed gratitude to Gov. Idris for his commitment to restoring livelihoods.

“We are happy that after the flood, life is returning to normal.

“We appreciate the governor for this gesture and also for reconstructing the collapsed bridge during the rainy season,” he concluded.

Stakeholders say With the Residual Moisture Crop Production initiative, Kebbi is setting a precedent in flood recovery efforts, turning adversity into opportunity.

This programme, they said ensures that affected communities can rebuild stronger and develop more resilient agricultural systems.  (NANFeatures)

NIHSA warns of imminent flooding along Rivers Benue, Niger
Environment

NIHSA warns of imminent flooding along Rivers Benue, Niger

By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an urgent flood warning to communities along the River Benue and River Niger, following significant rises in water levels due to continuous rainfall.

In a statement on Thursday, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, urged residents near the riverbanks to evacuate, as water levels in the River Benue have reached critical points.

He noted that water gauge data from key stations such as Lokoja, Umaisha, Makurdi, and Ibbi show consistently high levels, exceeding 9 meters between October 9 and October 15.

“The map shows critical flood-prone zones across Nigeria, particularly around stations along the River Benue and River Niger.

“Makurdi, in particular, has recorded dangerously high water levels, with Lokoja and other stations also nearing flood thresholds,” Mohammed stated.

The agency also warned that the management of the Kainji and Jebba Dams are closely monitoring and controlling water releases to prevent downstream flooding along the Niger.

Mohammed called for full cooperation with emergency response agencies and advised citizens to move to safer areas to avoid the worsening effects of the floods as rainfall continues.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts to build resilience against flooding, which had become an annual challenge for many communities in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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