The Federal Government has issued a strong appeal to Nigerians, urging them to commence immediate preparations for potential widespread flooding as the rainy season escalates. This urgent call comes with a stark warning that global climate change has significantly disrupted the country’s traditional rainfall patterns, consequently amplifying flood risks across numerous states.
Yussuf Kelani, the Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, underscored the gravity of the situation in a statement released in Abuja. He cited recent devastating floods in Lagos and other parts of the country as a critical “wake-up call,” emphasizing the imperative for governments, local communities, and individual citizens to prioritize disaster readiness and bolster climate resilience.
Climate Change: A Present-Day National Challenge
Kelani stressed that climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern but a pressing national development challenge demanding integrated action from all sectors. He elaborated that, “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.”
Scientific consensus, he noted, confirms that escalating global temperatures are increasing atmospheric moisture, directly contributing to these heavier rainfall events and more frequent flooding. Beyond inundation, Nigeria also faces escalating coastal erosion, desertification, and prolonged droughts in different geographical zones due to these climatic shifts.
The Human Cost of Intensified Flooding
The recent urban floods, which submerged thoroughfares, crippled commercial activities, and damaged residences in Lagos and other areas, serve as a grim reminder of how vulnerable major population centers are to climate-induced catastrophes. Kelani somberly remarked, “Every flood is ultimately a human tragedy before it becomes an environmental statistic,” highlighting the profound losses endured by thousands of Nigerians in terms of property, livelihoods, and productivity.
The presidential aide extended the warning beyond Lagos, identifying communities situated along the Niger and Benue Rivers, as well as states in the North-Central, South-South, South-East, parts of the North-West, and coastal regions, as being particularly susceptible to flood hazards.
Urgent Call to Action: Prepare Now
“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,” Kelani asserted. He appealed to state governments, local councils, traditional rulers, religious bodies, and community associations to intensify public awareness campaigns, conduct thorough inspections of drainage infrastructure, and activate emergency response protocols well in advance of the rainy season’s peak.
Furthermore, Kelani urged Nigerians to embrace environmentally conscious habits. This includes consistently clearing drainage channels, adopting proper waste disposal methods, engaging in tree planting initiatives, and diligently following weather forecasts and flood advisories. “Climate resilience begins with environmental responsibility,” he stated, reinforcing the idea of collective ownership.
Building Long-Term Resilience and Climate Literacy
Drawing inspiration from flood-resilient nations such as the Netherlands, Japan, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Pakistan, Kelani advocated for Nigeria to significantly boost its investment in cutting-edge drainage infrastructure, sophisticated flood forecasting, and early warning systems. He also called for sustainable urban planning, the restoration of vital wetlands, and other critical climate adaptation measures. He added, “Floods cannot always be prevented, but disasters can be significantly minimised through planning, preparedness, engineering, public awareness and strong institutions.”
Emphasizing the transformative power of knowledge, Kelani identified climate education as a pivotal tool for reducing disaster risks. He pointed out that many Nigerians still mistakenly view flooding solely as heavy rainfall, rather than understanding it as the complex interplay of climate change, deficient urban planning, obstructed drainage systems, and environmental degradation. “Climate literacy should become part of everyday public education. An informed population is a resilient population,” he declared.
Government Commitment and Shared Responsibility
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to implement key frameworks such as the Climate Change Act, the Energy Transition Plan, and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions, all aimed at bolstering climate resilience. However, Kelani cautioned that governmental efforts alone would be insufficient.
“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,” Kelani concluded.
Lessons from Past Disasters, Warnings for the Future
Nigeria faces extensive flooding almost annually, a problem exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanization, inadequate drainage, and indiscriminate waste disposal. The calamitous 2022 floods, among the nation’s worst in decades, impacted over 30 states, claimed more than 600 lives, displaced approximately 1.4 million people, and obliterated countless homes, schools, roads, and farmlands. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have consistently issued warnings about above-normal rainfall and rising water levels, which could trigger more widespread flooding in vulnerable areas, thereby reiterating the crucial need for proactive readiness, improved infrastructure, and robust climate adaptation strategies to protect lives and livelihoods.