…Proffer solutions to yearly disaster
By Henry Uche
Year after year, floods ravage communities across Nigeria, displacing millions and causing untold hardship.
Yet despite repeated warnings and millions spent on emergency relief, little is done in advance to prevent the annual crisis.
According to risk management experts, both the government and citizens share the blame.
In fact, they call it a national amnesia, wondering when the cycle of horror will be broken.
Every rainy season, at least 22 states experience some form of flooding, despite early warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and various media outlets.
Flooding in Nigeria is no surprise, it is seasonal, predictable and preventable.
The main question on the lips of stakeholders is; why does the devastation persist?
Insurance experts and risk managers say the answer lies in collective failure.
“Flood is a natural phenomenon that cannot be stopped, but its impact can be managed.
“Unfortunately, government inaction and public indifference continue to make the situation worse”, a risk management expert told Daily Sun.
Government’s role
Many Nigerians believe political leaders have failed in their responsibility to protect lives and property. Scholars from Benue, Jos, Delta, and Rivers States point to Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
But this promise rings hollow in the face of recurring floods.
Recently, at least 150 lives were lost in Mokwa, Niger State, following torrential rain and flash floods. Environmental experts say factors like climate change, poor urban planning, dam failures and blocked drainage systems have made floods more severe.
“The government lacks the political will to implement real solutions,” said an environmental planner in Lagos. “We’ve proposed measures, but nothing happens. It’s the same story every year.”
Public apathy worsens narrative
Experts also point fingers at the public. Nigeria’s poor environmental habits, littering, dumping waste in drainages, and ignoring flood warnings, worsen the crisis.
“People block drainages with garbage and expect miracles during the rainy season,” one speaker lamented during a sensitization session in Lagos.
“When roads become impassable and lives are lost, it’s partly due to our own carelessness.”
Despite regular advisories from NiMet and NOA urging people in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground, many ignore the warnings until it’s too late.
Mystery ecological funds
Ecological funds meant to address environmental disasters remain a sore point.
Farmers like Douglas Chukwudi in Jos say they have only seen the funds mentioned in newspapers.
“We hear that ecological funds run into millions and are meant for environmental protection, sustainable development, and flood mitigation,” Chukwudi said.
“But nothing ever reaches us. Where is the money going?”
“They’re already campaigning for 2027”, he lamented.
Some citizens believe politicians are more focused on elections than public safety.
“Our leaders have no shame,” said Christabel Obyei, a horticulturist and long-time environmental advocate. “The President couldn’t even visit the worst-hit community in Benue, Yelewata, because the roads were too bad and flooded. Instead of fixing roads and preparing for floods, they’re already planning for 2027.”
Environmentalist Usman Dada was even more blunt. “From the moment they’re sworn in, Nigerian politicians begin campaigning for re-election. They abandon projects and use money meant for the people for politics. We are not the worst-hit country by floods, but the difference is leadership.”
Insurance as missing link in flood recovery
Nigeria has over 60 insurance companies offering various protections, but very few flood victims benefit from them. Many people living in flood-prone areas either don’t know about insurance or can’t afford it.
Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance, has been pushing to change that.
“There is a direct link between insurance and national development.
“Every decision involves risk, and insurance is the tool that helps us manage it and protect our future”, he said.
Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Kunle Ahmed, reaffirmed the industry’s readiness to support flood victims, but noted that public demand and awareness remain low.
Including local communities in solution framework
At a recent Strategic Risk Management Forum, Abbas G. Idriss, President of the Risk Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON), emphasized that solving Nigeria’s flood problem requires more than government action, it demands community participation.
“Flood preparedness must involve infrastructure, early warning systems, public education, and most importantly, local communities,” said Idriss, who also heads Aygee & Hazards Consulting Ltd.
He stressed that when communities are involved in planning and response, solutions become more effective and sustainable.
“Floods can lead to displacement, injuries, contaminated water, crop failure, economic hardship, and even death,” he explained. “The community must own the solution. It’s not just about reacting—it’s about preparing.”
Idriss called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, and local associations to educate their people.
“When communities participate, they’re more resilient and better equipped to handle disasters. Let them be involved from the beginning,not just when things go wrong.”
In conclusion, experts reiterated that flooding is here to stay, but the destruction it brings does not have to be.
Whether it is government officials failing to act, citizens dumping refuse in canals, or communities ignoring warnings, the message is clear: we’re all involved.
Only when everyone, from government to grassroots, takes responsibility will Nigeria break the cycle of disaster and truly weather the storm.