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Local government

Mitigating Flood Risks in Nigeria: Lessons from Devastating Floods in Mokwa

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The devastating floods in Mokwa, Niger state, have sparked concerns across the country, with many communities and the government grappling with the impact of climate change. Forecasts by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) indicate that 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high flood-risk areas in 2025. Experts urge Nigerians to take proactive measures to mitigate recurrence, including paying attention to seasonal climate predictions and implementing desiltation of water bodies and creation of new water-harvesting structures.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NIHSA forecasts indicate that 657 communities in 52 council areas are expected to experience high flood risks between April and June, while 500 communities in 142 local councils are expected to experience high flood risks between July and September.
  • The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has urged communities and opinion leaders to take more seriously the Seasonal Climate Prediction by NiMET and the Annual Flood Outlook released yearly by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
  • Dr. Kante Pkantisawa, the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has highlighted the need for trauma counselling for those who lost family members and the restoration of livelihoods devastated by the floods.
  • An environmentalist and human rights activist, Dr. DuroRasak, has called on the authorities to increase ecological funds to states in view of the impact of climate change.
  • The National Coordinator of the United Nations Development Programme, Global Environment Facility, Small Grants Programme (UNDP GEF SGP), Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, has urged communities to remain vigilant, drawing lessons from past experiences.

Statistics:

  • Over 200 confirmed deaths in the Mokwa floods, with estimates suggesting the death toll could be significantly higher.
  • Over 3,000 people displaced, with more than 265 houses destroyed and 503 households impacted.
  • Critical infrastructure, including three bridges, was washed away, cutting off traffic between the northern and southern parts of the country.
  • 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) identified as high flood-risk areas in 2025, including Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, and Jigawa.

Sources:

  • Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA)
  • Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET)
  • United Nations Development Programme, Global Environment Facility, Small Grants Programme (UNDP GEF SGP)
  • Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation
  • Nasarawa State University, Keffi
  • Dr. DuroRasak, environmentalist and human rights activist

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