The Federal Ministry of Environment has reviewed the National Erosion and Flood Control Policy (NEFCOP) to strengthen the national framework for managing erosion and flooding across Nigeria.
Mr. Mahmud Kambari, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, made the disclosure during a National Stakeholders’ Validation Workshop on the NEFCOP review. The workshop was organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) Project, supported by the World Bank.
Kambari explained that the review was necessary due to the lapse of time since the policy’s first launch in 2005 and changing environmental circumstances. The original NEFCOP was designed to address challenges related to erosion, flooding, and coastal degradation.
“It is no longer news that environmental hazards have claimed lives, displaced thousands of people, destroyed farmlands, eroded critical infrastructure, and undermined socio-economic development,” Kambari said. “Erosion and flood challenges are not merely environmental issues; they are also developmental, social, and economic challenges.”
He added that the workshop marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s collective effort to institutionalize a coordinated and evidence-based approach to erosion and flood management.
“The National Erosion and Flood Control Policy and its associated documents represent a holistic national framework aimed at preventing and mitigating the impacts of erosion and flooding, and promoting integrated land and water resource management,” Kambari said. “We must ensure that the policy reflects our national realities, addresses existing gaps, and offers practical solutions adaptable to Nigeria’s diverse ecological and administrative contexts.”
He urged all stakeholders to commit to the full implementation, monitoring, and periodic review of the policy, emphasizing that “environmental sustainability is not an option; it is an imperative for our survival and national development.”
Mr. Musa Shaibu, a representative of ACReSAL, pledged continued support for flood and erosion control activities. “We congratulate you on achieving this milestone and hope this document will effectively control and address environmental degradation related to water flow and other issues. This policy aligns with many activities currently underway at ACReSAL,” he said.
Mr. Usman Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management Department at the Ministry of Environment, expressed concern over the increasing threat erosion poses to livelihoods nationwide.
“Over the years, this environmental hazard has become more frequent and severe,” Bokani said. “The policy review will undergo broad technical consultations and involve experts and stakeholders across the country to incorporate current knowledge, integrate modern technology, align with national and international frameworks, and provide practical solutions for erosion and flood management.”
