Last week, heavy flooding swept through much of Borno State in northern Nigeria, wreaking havoc and leaving families displaced. Online footage showed houses submerged underwater. “I cannot go back home now because the flood has destroyed our home,” a student at the University of Maiduguri lamented.
The flood followed heavy downpours and the collapse of the Alau Dam, a significant water resource located 15 kilometres south of Maiduguri.
Nigeria has long struggled with seasonal flooding, a problem that is exacerbated each year by the release of excess water from upstream dams. As seen in the recent Maiduguri example, the floods wreak havoc on the livelihoods of millions, claiming lives, displacing families and causing extensive damage to infrastructure.
Nigeria’s vulnerability to flooding is heightened when Cameroon releases water from the latter’s Lagdo Dam, which empties into the Benue River. Built in 1982, the dam was designed to mitigate flooding and support irrigation and power generation. However, there is no effective water management plan or infrastructure in Nigeria to absorb the excess water from the dam. When released, the water overflows into the Benue River basin and inundates surrounding communities. The Nigerian government has expressed frustration over Cameroon’s actions, but the real challenge lies in Nigeria’s preparedness to handle such situations.
In 2022, floods affected 33 of the 36 states, killing over 600 people, displacing more than 1.3 million, and destroying over 100,000 homes. Farmlands were submerged, contributing to food shortages and driving up prices of essential commodities. The Nigerian economy took a significant hit, with losses running into billions of naira, further straining an already fragile system.
Climate change and poor urban planning exacerbate the crisis. Heavy rains overwhelm drainage systems in major cities like Lagos, while rural communities suffer from a lack of adequate flood defences. Despite decades of warnings and government interventions, the issue persists, raising the critical question: what can be done to tackle Nigeria’s perennial flooding crisis?
Addressing the flooding crisis requires a multifaceted strategy that combines infrastructural development and community-based interventions. One of such approaches is building buffer dams to capture excess water. Nigeria has long had plans to build a dam at Dasin Hausa in Adamawa State, which would help absorb water from the Lagdo Dam and also irrigate about 150,000 hectares of land in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states, but the project has been delayed for years. If completed, this dam could prevent floods from reaching catastrophic levels by providing storage for excess water.
Training these communities in disaster preparedness, including how to build flood-resistant homes and safely evacuate when needed, can make a significant difference in reducing fatalities too. Governments and NGOs should work closely with local leaders to develop tailored flood response plans for high-risk areas. Community engagement is crucial, as these populations are directly affected and are best positioned to contribute to localised solutions.
Given that much of Nigeria’s flooding is triggered by dam releases from upstream countries like Cameroon, strengthening regional cooperation is key. The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2016 to manage the flood risks associated with the Lagdo Dam, but more needs to be done. Establishing a joint water management body that includes experts from both nations could ensure better coordination of dam releases, possibly reducing the volume of water released at once.
As donations continue to pour in for displaced families in Maiduguri, the crisis demands more strategic action. Nigeria’s flooding crisis, particularly following dam openings, is a complex issue that requires urgent attention and action. The solutions are clear, but implementing them requires collaboration at local, national and regional levels.
Last week, severe flooding ravaged Borno State in northern Nigeria following heavy rains and the collapse of the Alau Dam, displacing families and devastating communities. The incident highlights Nigeria's ongoing challenges with seasonal flooding, a problem worsened by the release of excess water from upstream dams, particularly Cameroon's Lagdo Dam. Despite longstanding plans and a Memorandum of Understanding with Cameroon, Nigeria lacks adequate infrastructural and flood management systems to mitigate the impact, resulting in loss of lives, displacement, and severe economic damage, including food shortages.
Addressing Nigeria's flood crisis requires a multifaceted approach combining infrastructure development, such as constructing the delayed Dasin Hausa dam, and community-focused disaster preparedness. Enhanced regional cooperation and the establishment of a joint water management body with Cameroon are essential for better flood control. Community engagement and tailored flood response plans are crucial for reducing fatalities and damage. Although current efforts provide immediate relief, sustainable long-term solutions and strategic implementation at all levels are urgently needed to address the perennial flooding challenges effectively.
