Flooding remains a growing threat across Nigeria, with over 1.2 million people displaced between 2024 and 2025. Experts and environmental agencies have identified six primary causes fueling this national crisis: heavy rainfall, poor urban planning, inadequate waste management, climate change, insufficient drainage systems, and deforestation.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that floods affected 35 states during the period, claiming 1,000 lives and injuring over 16,000. Among the most devastating incidents was the flood in Mokwa, Niger State, which left 200 dead, 121 injured, and more than 1,000 people missing. Additionally, 2,000 homes were destroyed and hundreds of families displaced.
The types of flooding common in Nigeria include:
Coastal flooding, caused by sea water encroachment;
Pluvial flooding, resulting from heavy downpours;
Fluvial flooding, which occurs when rivers overflow their banks.
The Six Key Causes of Flooding in Nigeria:
Heavy Rainfall:
Intense and prolonged rainfall overwhelms the limited drainage systems in many cities, leading to flash floods and river overflows.
Poor Urban Planning:
Many buildings are constructed in flood-prone zones, often blocking natural water flow. Informal settlements and unregulated development have worsened the problem.
Inadequate Waste Management:
Improper disposal of solid waste—especially into gutters and waterways—frequently clogs drainage systems, restricting water flow and triggering urban floods.
Climate Change:
Changing weather patterns have intensified rainfall and contributed to rising sea levels, increasing the frequency and severity of both inland and coastal floods.
Weak Drainage Infrastructure:
Several communities lack proper drainage facilities altogether, while existing systems are often neglected or overwhelmed by the volume of water during storms.
Deforestation:
Widespread tree felling for development or fuel reduces the land’s ability to absorb rainfall. Without adequate vegetation cover, runoff quickly floods low-lying areas.
Environmental experts warn that without urgent intervention, the toll of flooding on infrastructure, agriculture, and human life will continue to escalate. They are calling on government at all levels to invest in urban planning reforms, enforce environmental regulations, and prioritize climate adaptation strategies.
As the rainy season intensifies, communities are being urged to avoid illegal dumping and construction in waterways, and to prepare for emergency evacuation in high-risk areas.
