Nigeria has enough data and early warning information to prepare for flooding, but poor use of available funds and information continues to leave vulnerable communities exposed, former Acting Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Air Vice Marshal Akugbe Iyamu, retd, has said.
Iyamu made the remarks while discussing Nigeria’s recurring flood crisis, questioning how the Ecological Fund and other resources released for disaster preparedness have been utilised.
He said the country should focus more on preventing flood disasters rather than waiting for communities to suffer before providing relief.
According to him, N109 billion was released for the Ecological Fund between 2023 and 2025, while N83.2 billion was approved in 2026 for anticipatory action to mitigate flooding and other climate related emergencies.
Iyamu argued that Nigeria’s major problem was not a lack of funds but how the available resources were directed and monitored.
He also called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of ecological funds, saying states should use the resources specifically for disaster prevention.
On Abuja, the former NEMA chief said the reduction and alteration of the city’s original drainage and water flow channels had contributed to its flooding challenges.
He called for a return to Abuja’s original master plan and urged authorities to invest in preventive measures such as riverbanks, sandbanks and improved drainage systems.
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