A recent study titled “Nigeria’s Flood Disaster Unpreparedness: Impacts on Health and Society” has revealed a concerning reality: Nigeria remains critically unprepared for the increasing frequency and severity of floods. Published in 2023, the report highlights the country’s vulnerability to extreme flooding, which poses significant risks to both its citizens and economy.
The study, conducted by the First On-Call Initiative (FOCI), a youth-driven nonprofit, underscores how Nigeria has struggled to adapt to decades of devastating floods. Researchers attribute this to a combination of factors, including climate change, reckless housing development on floodplains, insufficient drainage systems, and poor dam management. These persistent issues have allowed flooding to wreak havoc across the nation, with devastating consequences.
Mental and Economic Strain
The research points to the severe psychological toll flooding takes on Nigerian communities. While floods cause immediate destruction, they also undermine people’s mental resilience, leaving them more vulnerable to ongoing stress and future disasters. Financially, the toll is staggering. Over three decades, the nation has lost an estimated $17 billion due to flooding, with over 1,100 lives lost and millions of citizens displaced. The 2022 floods, the worst in Nigeria’s history, surpassed the devastation of the 2012 deluge, which had been ranked the fourth most destructive flood globally.
Looming Economic and Social Crisis
Nigeria faces a convergence of crises: widespread poverty, inflation, and increasing instability. These factors, combined with inadequate emergency preparedness, have left the country’s emergency response agencies critically underfunded and overwhelmed. The study criticizes the “fire-brigade approach” often taken by government agencies, warning that without significant reform, the situation will only worsen.
Despite the efforts of agencies like the Nigerian Meteorological (NiMET) Agency, whose weather forecasts could help mitigate flood damage, poor communication and coordination continue to hinder preparedness efforts. Furthermore, collaboration with neighboring Cameroon for dam-water release monitoring remains insufficient, compounding the risks.
The lack of budgetary allocation for flood preparedness is another alarming finding. In 2023, nine states, including major hubs like Lagos and Akwa Ibom, allocated no funds for flood control. Of the 18 states that did make provisions, none had implemented any flood prevention measures by the end of the first quarter.
The Human Toll
Floods disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Women face increased risks of gender-based violence and compromised reproductive health, while children are more susceptible to diseases like typhoid, malaria, diarrhea, and measles. People with disabilities are often excluded from disaster relief efforts, leaving their needs unmet. The psychological impact is also severe, with researchers warning of a potential surge in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Experts Demand Urgent Action
Health and disaster experts are calling for immediate action to address Nigeria’s flood preparedness. Dr. Faithful Miebaka Daniel, lead researcher and Director of Research at FOCI, stressed the need for urgent reforms, stating, “What sort of adult would endure six decades of exposure without learning and improving? Nigeria’s future hangs in the balance.” He, along with fellow researchers, emphasized that knowledge alone is not enough—action must follow.
While acknowledging the efforts of agencies like the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr. Miebaka urged a shift toward actionable intelligence, calling for more effective strategies based on the available data. Other experts, including Dr. Victoria Emeruwa and Dr. Ike Williams, also criticized the slow and inadequate government response, particularly in terms of evacuation strategies and support for displaced populations.
A Call to Mobilize
As the nation faces the looming threat of catastrophic flooding, FOCI is urging Nigerians to rally for better disaster preparedness. Dr. Bonaventure Ukoaka, Executive Secretary of FOCI, called on citizens to demand action, while Dr. Miebaka emphasized that the study’s findings should serve as a wake-up call for lawmakers. With time running out, the researchers hope their work will inspire a united effort to protect Nigeria from future floods.