By Adenekan Alamin Adedeji
Nigeria was hit by one of the worst floods in the country’s history in October 2022. More than 600 lives were lost, and more than 1.4 million were affected due to the floods caused by torrential rainfall which led to the flooding of houses, farms and other structures. The floods, which many said were the worst in a decade, led to the loss of over 700 billion Naira, and revealed the poor state of disaster preparedness and management in Nigeria. These figures, as disturbing as they are, simply paint a picture of a nightmare that has become an annual occurrence for many Nigerians. Such regular and intense floods put forward significant questions regarding the capacity of the nation to safeguard its people and to respond to disasters.
Nigeria history of flooding dates back to the early twentieth century. Records of floods in the area date back to 1948 when many areas in Lagos and other coastal regions were flooded. However, the problem of flooding has persisted over the years and some of the worst floods were witnessed in 1963, 1976, 1980, 2012 and 2022. The flood incident caused by the Ogunpa River’s flood in Ibadan city in 1963 provoked immediate flood risk management responses such as the start of Ogunpa channelization project, educative radio and television jingles on flood risk management, and the removal of structures and properties in flood plains. Nevertheless, cases of floods persist in Nigeria implying that these interventions are not sufficient and or sustainable.
The floods that occurred in 2012 (due to the heavy down pour and the opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon) were even worse where 30 out of 36 states were flooded, 361 people were killed and more than 2,000,000 were displaced. The economic cost was however estimated to be in the region of N2.6 trillion ($16 billion). Such events contribute to a problem that has become increasingly significant over time because of various factors including natural disasters and man-made vices. There was a flood disaster in Lagos in July 2017 when heave rains caused flooding by overloading the drainage systems in the city. Lands that are close to the sea including Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi were flooded and this caused a major setback in the economic activities.
The flooding problems of Nigeria have natural geographical and climatic predeterminants. Some of these floodings can be attributed to the country’s geographical features and its main rivers (Niger and Benue) which over flow their banks during the rainy season (April to October). Also, the variations in climate and season due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) leads to over excessive rainfall and flooding. Nigeria’s unique geography, climate, and human activity make certain locations prone to floods. The most flood-prone states are Lagos, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Delta, and Rivers. Lagos State’s low-lying coastal location and rising urbanisation make it susceptible. Riverine flooding from the Benue River in central Nigeria also devastates towns along its banks. River overflows from natural bottlenecks make Kogi State, near the Niger and Benue Rivers, flood-prone. Over 600,000 Kogis were displaced by the 2012 floods. Delta and Rivers States in the Niger Delta experience riverine and coastal floods.
Importantly, Nigerian floods are escalating due to climate change. Global warming causes more violent storms and rainfall. According to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), rainfall intensity and duration have increased in the past decades. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts increasingly frequent and severe weather occurrences. Higher temperatures increase atmospheric water vapour, causing heavier and longer rainfall. Increased precipitation overwhelms natural and manmade drainage systems, flooding rivers and cities.
Human activity has exacerbated the flooding issues. Rapid urbanisation in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt without suitable infrastructure has increased surface runoff and swamped drainage systems. Urban development and encroachment on floodplains diminish rainfall absorption, causing frequent and severe floods. Due to poor urban design, buildings frequently block natural streams, increasing surface runoff and floods after heavy rains. Impermeable surfaces like roads and pavements prevent water from permeating the ground, worsening the issue. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Nigeria’s urban population rose from 48% in 2006 to 52% in 2018, with Lagos alone housing over 14 million people.
Deforestation, poor agriculture practices, and urbanisation increases flood hazards by eroding soil and reducing water absorption (According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Nigeria loses 350,000–400,000 hectares of forest yearly, aggravating the problem). Nigerian flood danger is further increased because natural buffers like forests and wetlands that should absorb surplus rainwater and reduce runoff have been affected by deforestation and bad farming practices.
Poor waste management worsens floods. In many places, improper waste disposal block drainage lines, flooding streets and homes. Nigeria’s drainage systems typically can’t manage the water from heavy rains. Blockages and overflow result from poorly built, inadequate, or neglected drainage channels. Urban stormwater drainage systems are sometimes blocked by improper waste management which hinders water movement and causes floods. The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) found that many drainage systems are antiquated and don’t account for the current population numbers and climatic variations. Blocked drainage systems contributed to the 2017 Lagos floods, which caused economic losses and relocation.
The Nigerian government’s response to these flooding incidents has often been reactive rather than proactive. After the 2012 floods, the government declared a national emergency and allotted N17.6 billion for relief and restoration. The impacted people received temporary shelters, food, and medical care. The creation of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation was meant to address flood control and call for funds for the long-term solutions. Nonetheless, those efforts were not as effective due to failures in planning, corruption as well as improper development of infrastructure. After the 2017 Lagos floods, the state government funded emergency drainage cleaning operations and waste disposal education programmes. However, these measures did not address the root causes of poor drainage and uncontrolled urbanisation. The same actions were implemented in 2022 floods through mobilization of emergency response teams from the NEMA and related state bodies. Food and other essentials were provided, while tents were erected to accommodate the victims. However, the response was described as slow and inadequate especially when it comes to the rural and hard-hit regions.
While communities have showed resilience and unity throughout these disasters with local volunteers helping rescuers, delivering aid, and supporting displaced people, the government’s reactionary approach emphasises the necessity for proactive flood control.
Apart from the loss of many lives and people getting injured during these floods, there are secondary effects on the economy, food chain, health facilities, and shelter.
As a result of the 2022 flooding, many business premises closed down especially those in agricultural and manufacturing industries. Rural dwellers including the small-scale farmers and traders lose their produce to the disaster or are unable to access their goods. The disruption to businesses not only impacts the short term earnings of business persons and employees but also ripples through the rest of the local economy, hence leading to higher levels of unemployment and economic instability. The 2012 and 2022 floods for instance, saw thousands of hectares of croplands and livestock flooded. This had a serious negative impact on farm dependent households which experience large income losses during this season making them poorer. The 2022 flooding impacted major transport networks in states such as Kogi and Anambra which caused loss of access to markets and in the process created food insecurity. They lead to inflation of the price of foods and reduction in availability of cheap and healthy foods for many people in Nigeria.
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Importantly, floods create ideal conditions for the spread of waterborne diseases. Flood affected water sources and sanitation cause epidemics of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and malaria. For instance, during the 2012 flood there was massive reports of cholera infection including thousands of cases. The FG have also cautioned that the recent flooding may also contribute to the increase in the incidence of cholera.
Flooding has devastating effects on the psychological well-being of the victims. Loss of property, homes, and loved ones often results in mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. However, most mental health services are unavailable in Nigeria, so most of the flood victims do not receive the emotional support they require to get better. Also, the adequacy of temporary housing provided after floods is often questionable. Shelters are typically overcrowded and lack basic amenities. These conditions can lead to further health problems and social instability.
The case of flooding in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach that spans short-term, medium-term, and long-term solutions. Contingency planning for the short term has to be geared towards enhancing the response to disasters and enhancing the preparedness of the communities.
In the short term, there is need to enhance existing early warning systems. Modern techniques like satellite imaging and meteorological data can be improved on to effectively predict and monitor flood risks. NiMet should engage international bodies to enhance the utilization of better forecasting models. The availability of real-time data and community warnings has supported flood reduction in Bangladesh’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre. Ambulance services and qualified rescue teams must also be financed.
There is also need for a clear structure involving federal, state, and local authorities in emergency response with defined protocols. Singapore’s Civil Defence Force’s disaster management strategy of intervention, sensitization and keen architectural codes is a model. The formation of local disaster response committees may also facilitate and coordinate flood response efforts. These committees should be sensitized on first aid, search and rescue, and disaster management. This calls for local language and culturally appropriate community awareness programmes that might enhance preparation just like the Philippines’ Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) framework.
Medium-term solutions should include construction of proper road networks that can effectively drain large volumes of water. Storm surge barriers, levees, and massive drainage systems are shown in the Netherlands’ Delta Works project. Nigeria may also consider employing the same technology and strategies to enhance its approach to flood control. Retention basins and reservoirs are some of the structures that can hold excess water after heavy rains to reduce floods.
Cities should utilize permeable pavements, green roofs, and urban wetlands to be able to capture rainwater and prevent surface runoff. The ABC Waters Programme of Singapore is an example of green infrastructure in urban development which has reduced flood risk and enhanced aesthetics and biological life. Also, flood mitigation needs improvements of the laws on urban planning and zoning. Strict land-use regulations are necessary to prevent the construction of structures within flood prone areas.
Long-term flood mitigation requires forest restoration and environmental preservation. Large-scale reforestation could absorb excess rain water, fix soils and hinder runoff and erosion. Nigeria could emulate the Kenya’s Green Belt Movement which was aimed at replenishing millions of hectares of forest through community involvement. Also, there should be promotion of incentives for sustainable agricultural practices in improving the soil health. There is therefore the need to put up and maintain sustainable policies in order to combat the problem of flooding and its containment.
Tackling climate change is the most significant approach towards decreasing the occurrences of floods and their severity. Nigeria must embrace the effort to cut on emission of greenhouse gases through adoption of renewable sources of energy. The use of solar energy, wind energy, and hydropower can be used to ensure adequate energy for the nation without yielding to the emission of carbon. Germany’s Energiewende program that deals with renewable energy and energy efficiency is a good model. Allocating sufficient funding for flood control efforts in research, construction, and community outreach is indispensable. The formation of partnerships with the private sector can mobilize further resources and experience such as the the Integrated water management strategies of South Korea that include government, private entities and communities.
The effects of floods on Nigerians are vast. Using the proposed way forwards requires decisive action from all stakeholders. The government must prioritise flood control infrastructure, enforce land-use restrictions, and develop early warning systems. Public-private partnership should also be used to gain more resources and information. Active community participation and education are needed for flood control. Knowledge and resources empower local communities to increase resilience and response times.
An optimistic vision for Nigeria includes a future where the country is able to contain and prevent flooding to which many people have lost their lives and property. This vision entails the use of coherent practices, enhanced technologies, and sound structures and systems in the prevention and management of floods. There are examples from other countries that Nigeria can replicate these strategies, making the necessary changes to fit the country’s environment. It is possible to picture a Nigeria that has effective drainage system, durable structures, and properly planned towns that can handle floods. Schemes like afforestation restore degraded lands that provides added natural capacity to retain rainfall and avert floods. It is a future in which member of the communities have been given the responsibility and knowledge to be involved in disaster preparedness and management. The active participation of the government, private and public sector as well as citizens contributes to the development of a protective society against natural disasters.
The time has come for all stakeholders to act now in order to eliminate numerous looses that flood brought to Nigerian nation and create the future for all Nigerians that will be protected from the devastating results of natural disasters.
Adenekan Alamin Adedeji is a seasoned Technical and Academic writer. He holds a Bachelor degree in Environmental Management and Toxicology, and a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and Protection. His academic background and professional experience uniquely position him to provide insightful and impactful content in his field. He can be reached across social media @Alhamin01 and via adenekanalaminadedeji@gmail.com
