Nigeria Records N11.5bn Loss To Devastating Floods – FG
The Federal Ministry of Environment has revealed that Nigeria has lost agricultural produce worth N11.5 billion to recent unprecedented flooding across several states.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud A. Kambari, disclosed this in Abuja at the Technical Committee Meeting on the National Flood Insurance Policy and Implementation Framework.
He said, “It is with a profound sense of urgency and responsibility that we address industry experts and stakeholders, in the light of these recurring disasters, as we must transition from reactive measures to a proactive and sustainable approach to flood risk management.”
Kambari noted that about 3,000 people were recently displaced, 200 lives lost, over 265 houses destroyed, and 503 households impacted by flooding in Mokwa, Niger State.
He stressed the increasing frequency and severity of flood events in Nigeria, citing climate change, poor urban planning, and weak infrastructure as major drivers.
States most affected include Borno, Adamawa, Kogi, Ondo, Jigawa, and Anambra, where more than 1,000 farmers have been affected.
He said the National Flood Insurance Programme (NFIP), as highlighted in Section C 2.4.3 (iv) of the National Erosion and Flood Control Policy (NEFCOP), is central to the government’s strategy to improve resilience.
Referring to last year’s flood disaster in Borno State, he said, “The collapse of the Alau Dam in 2024 led to the submersion of 70 per cent of Maiduguri, displacing over 419,000 individuals and resulting in the tragic loss of over 30 lives.”
According to him, the United Nations described the disaster as the worst since 1994, affecting more than one million people.
He added that in Kogi State alone, over two million people were displaced, 200 communities submerged, and 60,000 hectares of land damaged.
Kambari also mentioned that in Anambra State, flooding affected 54,422 people across seven local government areas, displaced 21,083, and claimed 29 lives.
Earlier this year, Kwara State also experienced major flooding that hit farming communities hard.
He stated, “We will have to bring together government entities, insurance industry leaders, environmental experts, and community representatives to foster a collaborative approach in developing a holistic, sustainable flood insurance programme.”
The permanent secretary added that authorities would conduct in-depth analysis of recent flood incidents in states like Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, Anambra, Benue, and Delta, to guide future planning and prevention strategies.
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