By Abdullahi Lukman
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has issued a strong call for immediate government action following the deadly flood in Mokwa, Niger State, which has, reportedly, claimed over 200 lives and displaced more than 3,000 people in the early hours of Thursday, May 29, 2025.
The environmental justice group expressed deep sympathy for victims while warning that such disasters will only worsen if proactive measures are not taken.
HOMEF described the flood—which, reportedly, followed hours of intense rainfall—as another tragic consequence of the government’s failure to prepare for predictable climate event.
However, authoritative sources have already debunked the rainfall report, arguing emphatically that the flood was sparked an unprecedented release from the Kainji Dam.
HOMEF’s Executive Director, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, called the recurring floods a “horrendous recurring decimal,” stressing that Nigeria’s weak infrastructure and lack of emergency planning have made many communities vulnerable to collapse.
“There is no word to describe our lack of preparedness,” Bassey said.
“This is the time to declare an environmental state of emergency. We are talking about mass displacement, food scarcity, rising poverty, and worsening insecurity.”
HOMEF also criticized the inefficacy of early warnings from government agencies such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), arguing that warnings are meaningless without systems in place to evacuate and resettle people in safer areas.
Stephen Oduware, Programme Manager for Fossil Politics at HOMEF, questioned the government’s lack of forward planning.
“Floods don’t just destroy homes and take lives—they cripple communities and economies. What is the long-term plan to stop this?” he queried.
According to HOMEF, flooding in Nigeria is both a symptom of climate change and poor urban planning.
The organization called for investment in infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather, preservation of natural wetlands, and stronger coordination among government agencies.
The Mokwa flood is the latest in a string of catastrophic floods in Nigeria, including major incidents in 2012, 2018, and 2022, which displaced millions and caused widespread devastation.
HOMEF insists that unless root causes are addressed, such disasters will become even more frequent and deadly.