LAGOS/Nigeria: The Executive Secretary of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), Suleiman Arigbabu, has warned of growing national risks following recent flood projections by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, calling for urgent and coordinated action to mitigate potential impacts.
Arigbabu gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, reacting to NIHSA’s 2026 Annual Flood Outlook which forecast widespread flooding across several parts of the country at different periods of the year.
He noted that the agency’s predictions have consistently aligned with historical patterns, recording over 80 per cent accuracy in recent years, and cautioned that the latest outlook should not be taken lightly.
According to him, the persistent flooding crisis is driven by a combination of climate change and human-induced factors, stressing that without decisive intervention, the situation will continue to worsen.
Arigbabu explained that increasing rainfall intensity and frequency are causing rivers to overflow, resulting in flash floods and extensive inundation of communities.
He further identified poor drainage infrastructure and weak flood management systems as key contributors to urban flooding, particularly in major cities.
The HEDA chief also blamed indiscriminate waste disposal for the blockage of drainage channels in cities such as Lagos and Port Harcourt, exacerbating the impact of heavy rainfall.
He lamented the ongoing destruction of wetlands, describing them as critical natural buffers that absorb excess water and reduce flood risks, while also pointing to deforestation as a factor diminishing the land’s ability to regulate water flow.
In addition, Arigbabu said the failure to desilt dams and drainage systems has significantly reduced their capacity, making even moderate rainfall events capable of triggering flooding.
He noted that the recurring nature of floods over the years reflects systemic neglect and insufficient investment in preventive infrastructure.
Warning of the broader implications, he said flooding could severely disrupt communities, businesses and government projects nationwide, including capital projects captured in the 2026 budget.
He added that beyond infrastructural damage, floods could lead to displacement of residents, loss of livelihoods and increased incidence of waterborne diseases.
Arigbabu also raised concerns about heightened food insecurity, restricted access to healthcare services and increased vulnerability among women and children.
He called on both government and citizens to adopt proactive measures, including improved infrastructure, effective environmental management and responsible waste disposal practices, stressing that a collective shift in attitude is critical to reducing the devastating impact of floods across the country.
