The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that approximately 5,264,097 Nigerians were affected by devastating floods that swept across the country in 2024.
NEMA's Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, revealed these alarming figures during an inception meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on emergency flood support held in Abuja.
Speaking through the agency's Assistant Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Simon Katu, Mrs. Umar detailed the catastrophic impact of the floods, which claimed 1,237 lives, displaced over 1.2 million people, and caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure across the nation.
Widespread Devastation Across Nigeria
"Widespread flooding was reported in 35 states, with serious impact on homes, livelihoods, and national infrastructure. The effects were worsened by poor drainage in urban areas, population pressure, and climate change," Katu explained during the briefing.
According to the comprehensive data presented, the disaster affected 401 Local Government Areas, resulting in 16,469 injuries, destruction of 116,172 houses, and the loss of nearly 1.44 million hectares of farmland.
The Mokwa flood disaster was highlighted as particularly tragic, with over 3,000 people affected, 1,005 displaced, and more than 100 lives either lost or reported missing.
Preparing for Future Flood Risks
Looking ahead, NEMA has projected that 12 states and 43 local governments fall within high flood-risk zones for 2025, while another 13 states have been categorized in the low-risk category.
Mrs. Umar emphasized the critical importance of early warning systems and preparedness at the grassroots level, noting that the agency has significantly expanded its public awareness campaign on disaster response.
"This year, we have gone beyond visiting only a few states. Our preparedness campaign has now covered all states and local communities to enhance early response," she stated.
To strengthen community resilience, NEMA is planning simulation exercises in Anambra and Kano states to better prepare local communities and agencies for possible emergencies in the future.
The scale of the 2024 floods raises serious concerns about Nigeria's disaster preparedness and response capabilities, particularly as climate change continues to intensify extreme weather events across the country.
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