The federal government has launched the Anticipatory Action Task Force to enhance Nigeria’s preparedness for flood disasters and reduce the country’s reliance on reactive emergency responses.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who inaugurated the task force in Abuja on Tuesday, said the initiative aims to shift Nigeria’s disaster management approach from relief-focused to preventive action.
“We cannot afford to wait for disaster to strike before taking action. The human and economic toll of floods in Nigeria has become unbearable,” Shettima said.
“We must act now to protect lives and livelihoods by leveraging science, technology, and collaboration.”
The vice-president emphasized that the initiative aligns with global policies such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement.
The launch of the AATF comes amid increasing concerns over Nigeria’s vulnerability to severe flooding.
On September 10, 2024, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, experienced devastating floods after the Alau Dam collapsed due to excessive water levels.
The disaster claimed at least 30 lives, displaced 400,000 residents, and led to wild animals escaping from their habitats into the streets.
Days later, Governor Babagana Zulum revealed that the flood had affected more than two million residents, with about 200 inmates missing from the state prison.
The Maiduguri disaster is part of a worrying trend of seasonal floods that have worsened in recent years. In 2022, flooding across 16 states killed over 300 people and displaced 172,000.
These recurrent disasters underscore Nigeria’s growing vulnerability to climate-related emergencies and the urgent need for comprehensive flood management strategies.
