Nigerian floods: Agencies warn of worse to come as governments fail to act on predictions
via Punch Nigeria11 min read
Despite consistent warnings and projections from relevant agencies, Nigerian governments have largely ignored the threat of devastating floods, leading to recurring deaths, destruction, and misery. In early July 2026, torrential rains caused widespread devastation in Lagos and Ogun states, submerging homes, disrupting electricity, and shattering food supply chains. The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Mohammed, warned that this is just the beginning of the rainy season, with worse floods expected around August-September. The agency's 2026 Annual Flood Outlook indicated that 30,707 communities are at risk across 34 states, with 4.2 million hectares of farmland, 4,792 health facilities, and 10,684 schools located in flood-prone areas. The National Emergency Management Agency's After-Action Review showed that 2024 was Nigeria's most devastating flood year, claiming over 1,237 lives and displacing 1.24 million people, while coordinated action in 2025 significantly reduced the tragedy. The article criticizes governments and citizens for their indifference, highlighting the gap between prediction and implementation, and regulation and compliance. It suggests emulating Ghana's decisive actions against illegal structures obstructing waterways and calls for concerted commitment to climate change adaptation, comprehensive flood-control strategies, and effective waste management. The Lagos State Government, as a low-lying coa
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The Nigerian Presidency has criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's demand for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of 39 pupils and six teachers in Oyo State, labeling it unnecessary and politically motivated. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, stated that the governor's request suggests a lack of confidence in Nigeria's security institutions, despite explanations already provided by the military and other security agencies regarding the rescue operation. Onanuga questioned the basis for Makinde's demand, arguing that security agencies would not deliberately subject Nigerians to prolonged captivity, especially given that some security personnel lost their lives during the rescue. He accused Makinde, a presidential aspirant, of allowing political considerations to influence his call for an international probe. Governor Makinde, however, maintained that the call for international scrutiny was aimed at ensuring accountability and reinforcing public confidence, not discrediting Nigerian institutions. He emphasized that Nigerians deserve a full and transparent account of the incident. The rescued victims, including the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, recounted their ordeal, including the killing of a mathematics teacher by the abductors. The General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, detailed the complex rescue operation, which inv
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The Nigeria Airspace Management Agency and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority are in a dispute over the sharing formula for the five percent Ticket Sales Charge. A proposal before the National Assembly seeks to increase NAMA's share, leading to concerns from NCAA labor unions that this could weaken safety oversight. However, industry experts argue that NAMA, responsible for operating Nigeria's aviation infrastructure 24/7, carries a significant operational burden. NAMA's responsibilities include maintaining sophisticated Communication, Navigation and Surveillance technologies, which require substantial capital investment and continuous maintenance, often in remote areas with unreliable electricity. Retired pilot Mohammed Badamosi highlighted NAMA's larger workforce and extensive equipment maintenance across the country, contrasting it with NCAA's smaller regional offices. Currently, NCAA receives about 56 percent of the Ticket Sales Charge, while NAMA receives 23 percent. The Joint Action Committee of the NCAA suggests commercializing or partially privatizing NAMA as a more sustainable funding solution. However, proponents of the bill argue that stronger statutory funding is immediately needed. Former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu, called for a rational review of the revenue-sharing formula based on objective parameters like personnel strength, operational spread, and infrastructure ownership, rather than sentiments or