The Federal Government has announced a ₦6.3 billion intervention package in the form of interest- and collateral-free loans to 21,000 Nigerians affected by recent floods, in a move aimed at supporting recovery efforts and bolstering food security.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday at a roundtable marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, said the initiative will provide ₦300,000 each to beneficiaries over the coming weeks.
“This intervention is designed to support farmers and strengthen flood-affected communities,” the minister said, noting that the scheme aligns with the administration’s broader poverty reduction strategy.
Sununu added that the National Social Investment Program has already disbursed over ₦300 billion in Conditional Cash Transfers to more than 8.1 million households, contributing to improved health, education, and resilience among vulnerable groups. The program will continue under the President’s “Hope Agenda,” he said.
The minister also revealed a new collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) through an off-take scheme. Under the model, the government will purchase 70% of produce cultivated by IDPs, while participants retain the remaining 30%, ensuring a guaranteed market and immediate cash support.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, underscored the rising risks posed by climate change, conflict, pandemics, and technology-driven disasters. She called for a paradigm shift from reactive to preventive disaster management.
Umar unveiled two new policy frameworks: the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030), which aim to improve preparedness, resilience, and data-driven decision-making. NEMA is also developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to enhance early warning capabilities.
She further advocated for sustainable financing models, including catastrophe bonds, climate funds, and blended finance to support long-term disaster prevention and recovery efforts.
The high-level event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, lawmakers, development partners, and international agencies.
According to figures from NEMA’s 2025 Flood Dashboard, as of October 10, floods have claimed 238 lives, displaced over 135,000 people, and affected more than 409,000 residents across multiple states. At least 826 people have sustained injuries, while 115 remain missing.
