Flooding is a recurring disaster in Nigeria, one that leaves a trail of destruction across various regions annually. The sheer scale of the problem, exacerbated by climate change, poor urban planning, and inadequate infrastructure, puts millions of Nigerians at risk. The title “Living on the Edge” aptly captures the precarious existence of those in flood-prone areas, where life is a constant battle against nature’s wrath.
This critical analysis explores the socio-economic and environmental realities faced by these communities, supported by statistics and expert opinions, to highlight the urgency of addressing this growing crisis.
Nigeria, with its diverse topography, is naturally susceptible to flooding, particularly during the rainy season. The most vulnerable areas include states along the Niger and Benue rivers, such as Kogi, Anambra, and Benue, as well as coastal regions like Lagos and Bayelsa. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), over 1.4 million people were affected by floods in 2022 alone, with nearly 500,000 displaced from their homes. The year 2022 also witnessed the highest recorded rainfall in over a decade, leading to widespread flooding that resulted in 612 deaths and left infrastructure worth billions of naira destroyed.
The socio-economic impact of flooding in Nigeria is profound, affecting agriculture, housing, health, and the overall livelihood of communities. Agriculture, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, is particularly hard hit, with floods destroying crops and livestock, leading to food insecurity. In 2022, an estimated 150,000 hectares of farmland were submerged, resulting in significant losses for farmers. The flooding of farmlands leads to reduced crop yields and higher food prices, exacerbating poverty levels, particularly in rural areas.
Moreover, the destruction of homes and property has left thousands of families homeless, forcing them to seek refuge in temporary shelters often ill-equipped to handle the influx of displaced persons. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) reported that in 2022, over 200,000 houses were either damaged or completely destroyed by floods, rendering many homeless and vulnerable to diseases like cholera and malaria, which often accompany such disasters.
The economic cost of flooding is staggering. The World Bank estimated that the 2012 floods in Nigeria caused damages worth approximately $16.9 billion, with the 2022 floods likely to surpass this figure. The financial burden of rebuilding and recovery is immense, straining the already limited resources of both the affected individuals and the government.
The environmental impact of flooding is equally significant, contributing to soil erosion, deforestation, and the loss of biodiversity. Floodwaters often carry pollutants from industrial and agricultural activities, contaminating water bodies and leading to the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. The erosion of fertile topsoil also reduces the land’s productivity, further aggravating food insecurity.
Climate change plays a crucial role in the increasing frequency and intensity of floods in Nigeria. The country is experiencing more erratic weather patterns, with shorter, more intense rainy seasons leading to flash floods. According to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), average annual rainfall in some parts of the country has increased by 15-20% over the past decade, with a corresponding rise in flood incidents.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that extreme weather events like floods will become more common in West Africa, including Nigeria, in the coming years.
Rapid urbanization in Nigeria has compounded the flood problem. Cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja have seen explosive population growth, leading to the expansion of settlements into flood-prone areas. Poor urban planning, inadequate drainage systems, and the construction of buildings on floodplains have all contributed to the increased vulnerability of urban populations to flooding.
In Lagos, for example, the city’s drainage infrastructure is grossly inadequate to cope with the volume of water during heavy rains. The result is frequent flooding that disrupts daily life, damages property, and poses significant health risks. The Lagos State Government reported that in 2021, over 70% of the city’s roads were flooded at some point during the rainy season, leading to massive traffic jams, accidents, and economic losses.
Moreover, the widespread practice of sand filling and land reclamation in coastal areas has disrupted natural water flow patterns, exacerbating flood risks. In many cases, the construction of buildings and infrastructure in flood-prone zones is driven by a lack of affordable housing and land, forcing people to settle in areas at high risk of flooding.
The Nigerian government, through agencies like NEMA, NIHSA, and NiMet, has made efforts to address flooding through early warning systems, disaster response, and public awareness campaigns. However, these efforts are often hampered by a lack of resources, inadequate funding, and poor coordination among agencies.
In 2022, NEMA issued several warnings about potential flooding, but many states were ill-prepared to handle the scale of the disaster. The agency’s response was criticized for being reactive rather than proactive, with emergency relief often arriving too late to prevent loss of life and property.
One of the major challenges in managing floods in Nigeria is the lack of comprehensive flood management plans at the state and local levels. While the federal government has developed a national flood policy, its implementation at the grassroots level is weak, leading to a disconnect between policy and practice. Additionally, the enforcement of building regulations and land-use planning is often lax, allowing the construction of illegal structures in flood-prone areas.
The reality of living in flood-prone areas in Nigeria is a daily struggle for millions of people. The combination of climate change, poor urban planning, and inadequate infrastructure has created a situation where floods are not just a seasonal inconvenience but a life-threatening crisis.
Addressing this issue requires a coordinated and sustained effort at all levels of government, with the active participation of communities and support from international partners. By taking bold and proactive steps, Nigeria can reduce the devastating impact of floods and create a safer, more resilient future for its citizens.
Oladosu Adebola Oluwaseun is an environmental journalist and a Post graduate student of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ).
