FG Pleads for Flood Readiness as Climate Change Reshapes Nigeria's Rainfall

The Federal Government, through the Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Yussuf Kelani, on Wednesday issued a strong appeal to Nigerians to kickstart immediate preparations for potential widespread flooding as the current rainy season intensifies. Kelani warned that climate change has significantly altered rainfall patterns across the nation, thereby increasing flood risks in numerous states.

Speaking from Abuja, Kelani emphasized that recent flood occurrences in Lagos and other parts of the country should serve as a critical alert for all levels of government, communities, and individual citizens to prioritize disaster preparedness and cultivate climate resilience. He stated unequivocally that climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern but an immediate national development challenge demanding synchronized efforts from everyone.

Kelani elaborated on the shift in weather patterns, noting, “Climate change has altered the frequency, duration and intensity of rainfall across many regions of the country. Instead of moderate rainfall spread over several days, communities increasingly experience short-duration but extremely heavy downpours that overwhelm drainage infrastructure, flood rivers, destroy roads and displace entire communities.” He cited scientific evidence indicating that rising global temperatures contribute to increased atmospheric moisture, leading to more intense rainfall and a rise in flooding, coastal erosion, desertification, and prolonged droughts in various Nigerian regions.

The presidential aide highlighted how recent deluges, which submerged roads, disrupted commerce, and damaged homes in Lagos and other areas, underscore the growing vulnerability of urban centers to climate-related disasters. He lamented the human toll, stating, “Every flood is ultimately a human tragedy before it becomes an environmental statistic,” and pointed out that thousands of Nigerians have suffered significant losses to property, livelihoods, and productivity.

Kelani cautioned that the threat of flooding extends beyond Lagos. He specifically identified communities situated along the Rivers Niger and Benue, as well as states within the North-Central, South-South, South-East, certain parts of the North-West, and coastal regions, as being highly susceptible. He urged, “As we move further into the rainy season, Nigerians living in flood-prone communities should begin preparations immediately. Waiting until floodwaters arrive is waiting too late.”

He further called upon state governments, local government councils, traditional institutions, religious organizations, and community associations to bolster public awareness campaigns, conduct thorough inspections of drainage infrastructure, and activate emergency response plans well before the peak of the rainy season. Nigerians were also advised to adopt environmentally conscious practices such as consistent clearing of drainage channels, proper waste disposal, tree planting, and strict adherence to weather forecasts and flood advisories, with Kelani asserting, “Climate resilience begins with environmental responsibility.”

Drawing inspiration from countries like the Netherlands, Japan, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Pakistan, Kelani stressed the imperative for Nigeria to increase investments in modern drainage infrastructure, advanced flood forecasting and early warning systems, sustainable urban planning, wetland restoration, and other crucial climate adaptation measures. He affirmed, “Floods cannot always be prevented, but disasters can be significantly minimised through planning, preparedness, engineering, public awareness and strong institutions.”

Climate education was also identified as a vital tool for mitigating disaster risks. Kelani argued that many Nigerians still perceive flooding solely as heavy rainfall, overlooking the combined effects of climate change, inadequate urban planning, blocked drainage systems, and environmental degradation. He proposed, “Climate literacy should become part of everyday public education. An informed population is a resilient population.”

The Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, remains dedicated to implementing the Climate Change Act, the Energy Transition Plan, and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions to enhance climate resilience. However, Kelani underscored that government efforts alone are insufficient. He concluded, “Government efforts can only succeed when matched by responsible citizen action. Climate change is no longer tomorrow’s problem. It is today’s reality. The actions we take today will determine whether future generations inherit safer, more resilient communities or continue to face recurring climate disasters.”

Nigeria frequently experiences widespread flooding almost every rainy season, a situation worsened by climate change, rapid urbanization, deficient drainage infrastructure, and indiscriminate waste disposal. The calamitous 2022 floods, recognized as one of the nation’s worst in decades, impacted over 30 states, claimed more than 600 lives, displaced approximately 1.4 million residents, and obliterated thousands of homes, schools, roads, and farmlands. Both the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have consistently issued warnings about above-normal rainfall and rising water levels potentially triggering floods in vulnerable communities, emphasizing the critical need for early preparedness, improved infrastructure, and stronger climate adaptation measures to minimize the impact on lives and livelihoods.

In related news, Atiku Abubakar has sympathized with Lagos flood victims, while Ghana’s capital recently experienced three fatalities due to devastating floods. Agencies in Lagos have also issued warnings of further risks following heavy rains that submerged roads.