By Newspot Nigeria Environment News
Abuja, Nigeria – As floods loom across large swathes of the country, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has issued a strong appeal for immediate and coordinated action in response to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) latest flood alert.
NiMet’s warning lists 19 states at high risk of flooding, igniting fresh concerns over Nigeria’s preparedness to respond to yet another round of climate-induced disasters. FENRAD, a civil society organization known for its robust environmental and climate advocacy, is now urging the Federal Government, subnational governments, and disaster agencies to act now—before lives are lost and livelihoods wiped out.
“Flooding is no longer a seasonal inconvenience—it is a crisis. What is needed is not just a reaction, but a preemptive, transparent, and inclusive strategy,” said Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Executive Director of FENRAD, in a press statement made available to Newspot Nigeria.
The group warned that the devastation witnessed in 2022 and 2023, where floods displaced millions and destroyed key infrastructure, may be repeated unless proactive measures are taken. It emphasized that erratic rainfall patterns, unregulated construction on waterways, and poor drainage systems continue to compound the flood risk across the country.
FENRAD is calling for:
- Early deployment of relief materials by NEMA and SEMAs to communities most at risk.
- Immediate sensitization campaigns in local languages.
- Identification of temporary shelters for potentially displaced persons.
- Full transparency in how federal intervention funds are disbursed and used by states.
- Audits and sanctions where previous funds have been mismanaged or diverted.
“Funds released for flood preparedness must not end up as slush money in election cycles,” the statement noted. The group is also advocating for a public expenditure tracking mechanism that includes oversight from civil society and anti-graft agencies.
FENRAD’s five-point policy recommendations also include updates to urban planning laws, inter-agency coordination among NiMet, NIHSA, and NEMA, and stronger integration of climate adaptation into national and subnational frameworks.
The statement concludes with a pledge from FENRAD to continue supporting inclusive, community-led environmental resilience efforts. “We stand ready to work with all stakeholders so no Nigerian is left behind in the fight against preventable disasters.”
The full press statement is reproduced below:
Immediate Release
Press Statement
August 6, 2025
Abuja / Nigeria
Flood Alert Across 19 States: FENRAD Calls for Transparency and Proactive Response to NiMet’s Predictions
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) is deeply concerned by the recent flood alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), warning of high flood risks across 19 states in the federation. As environmental advocates committed to the promotion of sustainable development, climate justice, and disaster risk reduction, we urge both state and federal governments to treat this early warning with the seriousness it deserves.
FENRAD notes that climate-induced disasters, particularly flooding, have become recurrent in Nigeria due to a combination of changing rainfall patterns, poor urban planning, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and lack of coordinated emergency preparedness. In 2022 and 2023, floods displaced millions, led to tragic loss of lives, and destroyed farmlands, homes, and critical infrastructure.
We therefore call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), and other relevant bodies to immediately activate contingency plans and pre-position relief materials in vulnerable communities. There must be early sensitization, public information dissemination, and the identification of temporary shelters for displaced persons. The window to act is narrowing.
Call for Transparency in Management of Intervention Funds
FENRAD also calls on the National Economic Council (NEC) to ensure transparency, accountability, and traceability in the disbursement and management of federal intervention funds earmarked for flood mitigation and emergency response. Past experiences show that large sums released to subnational entities were either misappropriated or underutilized due to lack of oversight and coordination.
We advocate for the publication of all allocations to states, accompanied by a public expenditure tracking mechanism that involves civil society actors and anti-corruption agencies. Such proactive disclosures will help build public trust and ensure that funds reach affected populations, rather than end up as slush funds during election cycles or transition periods.
Policy Recommendations
- Strengthen early warning systems and ensure inter-agency coordination between NiMet, NIHSA, NEMA, and SEMAs.
- Audit previous flood response expenditures and hold accountable any entity or official found wanting.
- Update urban planning laws to prevent building on waterways and floodplains.
- Engage communities at risk through awareness campaigns and capacity-building initiatives for local response.
- Integrate climate change adaptation strategies into national and subnational disaster risk frameworks.
FENRAD reaffirms its commitment to partnering with stakeholders across sectors to promote sustainable and inclusive solutions to Nigeria’s environmental and climate challenges. We stand ready to work with relevant agencies, civil society groups, and affected communities in ensuring no Nigerian is left behind in the fight against avoidable disasters.
Signed:
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director
Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD)
Email: [email protected] | Website: www.fenrad.org.ng
Tel: 08033383708, 07062948232
📰 This report published by Newspot Nigeria in its continued commitment to amplifying issues of climate resilience, environmental justice, and public accountability.
