From Rain to Ruin

Nigeria is experiencing floods as is often during the rainy season. The country’s vast river systems, including the Niger and Benue Rivers, are prone to overflowing during the rainy season. As such, the 2024 floods and the devastation loom large. Historically, states like Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Kogi have been ravaged by floods, but this year, the disaster extended to regions previously considered safe. Torrential rains and overflowing rivers submerged vast areas, affecting millions of people and causing widespread destruction. The floods highlight the urgent need for improved infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and climate change mitigation.

The 2024 floods began in early June, following weeks of incessant rainfall. By mid-June, many rivers had breached their banks, causing widespread flooding. According to Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, 21 Local Government Areas have been submerged by flood in ten states and the Federal Capital Territory. In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, water levels rose to unprecedented heights, submerging entire neighbourhoods. Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Ibeju-Lekki, a densely populated area, were particularly hard hit, with residents forced to flee their homes as floodwaters engulfed streets and buildings. In Lugbe district of the Federal Capital Territory, a torrential downpour in the early hours of June 24, 2024, resulted in the flooding of Trademore estate, where several houses were submerged and two deaths were reported. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has listed Kogi as one of the states expected to experience flooding during the rainy season. Predictions also reveal that the opening of the Lagdo Dam later this year would significantly impact the state.

Floods in Nigeria have wide-ranging impacts. One of the most profound is the displacement and humanitarian crisis that comes with it. Displaced populations face challenges accessing clean water, sanitation facilities, and healthcare services. According to the National Emergency Management Agency, the 2023 flood  affected ten states in Nigeria, displacing over 7,000 people and injuring 75 with five casualties. Loss of lives and livelihoods have always accompanied flooding, while livelihoods dependent on agriculture, small businesses, and daily wage labourers are direly affected. The Federal Government has warned that the increasing flooding and continuous rainfall may worsen the country’s cholera spread.

Factors such as heavy rainfall, poor urban planning and deforestation are key factors contributing to the floods. Poor urban planning and inadequate drainage systems have compounded the problem. In cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, rapid urbanisation has led to the construction of buildings in flood-prone areas without proper drainage infrastructure. This has resulted in waterlogging and increased vulnerability to flooding. Environmental degradation, such as deforestation and the destruction of wetlands, has also reduced the land’s natural ability to absorb and manage floodwaters.

The Nigerian government and international aid organisations have provided relief during the flood crisis. Temporary shelters, food supplies, and medical aid were distributed to affected communities. The government set up several camps in Benue State to accommodate displaced persons. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) coordinated efforts with state governments and NGOs to ensure relief reached those in need. In the Federal Capital Territory, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) declared Trademore Estate Abuja a disaster zone. In a bid to remedy the flooding of the areas, 116 houses were marked for demolition because they were built on waterways; however, a court injunction obtained by residents of the estate restrained any action.

Over the years, international organisations such as the Red Cross and UNICEF have played a crucial role as they provided essential supplies, including clean water, sanitation facilities, and medical care. In Borno State, where the ongoing conflict has already displaced many people, the floods historically added to the humanitarian crisis. Relief agencies worked tirelessly to provide support despite the challenging conditions. In Lagos, a major project to upgrade the city’s drainage network commenced in April 2024. This includes the construction of new channels and the rehabilitation of existing ones to enhance water flow and reduce flooding. The initiative poses a significant step towards averting potential disasters and ensuring the safety of residents in the region. Community-based initiatives are also crucial.

The 2024 floods have highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated and sustained effort to address the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation. Disaster risk management professionals have recommended that the Nigerian government implement several measures to manage the recurring crisis. Regular dredging would solve the annual displacement of people from their homes and the destruction of their livelihoods. This requires collaboration between the federal and state governments and citizens alike.

 Nigeria must drive public and private investment in building disaster-resilient communities by building physical infrastructures that can withstand disasters and ensuring proper maintenance. The government must also invest in the people by building the capacity of the local people to understand and implement disaster risk reduction strategies in the communities to reduce anthropogenic factors contributing to disasters such as flooding. There is also a need for the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency to increase efforts towards deployment of personnel, improved equipment, and staff training in disaster management, including evacuation and care for the displaced. As Nigeria faces this disaster, it is imperative that the nation takes steps to build resilience and reduce future risks.

Recommended Reading:

• Floods: Nigeria submerged
• A Harvest of Floods in Nigeria: Institutional and Governance Gaps in Nigeria’s Disaster Risk Management
• Harvest of Floods