The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) has called for stronger community-based action and improved collaboration among government agencies to address the recurring cases of flooding across Nigeria.
Mr. Attah Benson, National Coordinator of NEWSAN, made the call in an interview with reporters on Sunday in Abuja while reacting to the increasing flood incidents recorded in several parts of the country.
Benson said the rising frequency and intensity of floods highlighted the urgent need for sustainable management strategies anchored on community participation, early warning systems, and improved drainage infrastructure.
According to data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), more than 158,000 people were affected by flooding across 29 states between June and September 2025. The agency reported that over 20,000 households were displaced, while thousands of hectares of farmland were destroyed.
The most affected states include Kogi, Anambra, Benue, Adamawa, and Bayelsa.
Benson expressed concern that despite repeated warnings from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) about the 2025 flood outlook, preventive measures at the community level remained inadequate.
“Flooding is not just a natural disaster; it is a development challenge that affects livelihoods, food security, and public health,” he said.
“Communities must be empowered with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships to take preventive action before the rains come.”
He noted that most flood-related losses could be prevented if communities worked closely with local governments to desilt drainage channels, map flood-prone areas, and enforce environmental sanitation regulations.
Benson urged relevant agencies, including NEMA, NIHSA, and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, to strengthen coordination with grassroots networks such as community development associations and women-led groups.
“Effective flood management begins at the grassroots.
If we invest in local preparedness and community awareness, we can drastically reduce the human and economic costs of flooding,” he said.
He also called for the integration of flood management into the implementation of the National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Policy.
According to him, poor waste disposal practices and blocked drainage systems continue to worsen flood risks in many urban and rural areas.
Benson appealed to development partners to support local adaptation initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, wetland restoration, and climate-smart agriculture to strengthen community resilience against future floods.
NEMA reported that Nigeria recorded economic losses exceeding N700 billion from flood disasters in 2022 and 2023 combined, underscoring the need for long-term investments in flood prevention, early warning, and climate adaptation systems.
