This catastrophe, despite early warnings from agencies like the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) which had identified Mokwa as a flood-prone area in its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, underscores a profound failure in translating foresight into effective action
Emmanuel Thomas I Tuesday, June 03, 2025
MOKWA, Kano – The recent deadly floods in Mokwa, Niger State, Nigeria, have once again brought to the fore the perennial issue of inadequate disaster preparedness and planning by government authorities.
While the Federal Government has attributed the Mokwa flooding primarily to extreme rainfall driven by climate change and poor drainage infrastructure, the tragic loss of over 200 lives, and about five hundred others missing, and thousands displaced paints a grim picture of a system ill-equipped to safeguard its citizens.
On May 29, 2025, torrential rains overwhelmed Mokwa, a critical transit hub connecting southern traders with northern food producers in Nigeria. The resultant flash floods submerged the town, destroying over 265 homes, vital roads, and bridges.
This catastrophe, despite early warnings from agencies like the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) which had identified Mokwa as a flood-prone area in its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, underscores a profound failure in translating foresight into effective action.
While climate change undeniably plays a role in the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, the government’s response (or lack thereof) to these warnings is a critical factor in escalating natural phenomena into full-blown humanitarian crises.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, cited unregulated building activities and encroachments blocking a seasonal tributary of River Dingi as exacerbating factors. This highlights a clear failure in urban planning and enforcement, allowing developments to obstruct natural water channels and render communities highly vulnerable.
The implications of this consistent failure to plan are far-reaching and devastating:
Loss of Life and Livelihoods: The most immediate and tragic consequence is the loss of human life and the destruction of livelihoods. Families are torn apart, homes are washed away, and years of investments in agriculture and small businesses are wiped out in a matter of hours.
Economic Disruption: Mokwa’s strategic location meant the floods crippled vital trade routes, impacting not only the immediate community but also the wider regional economy. The destruction of farmlands and infrastructure leads to food insecurity and increased prices.
Humanitarian Crisis: The displacement of thousands creates an urgent need for shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, and medical aid, placing immense strain on already stretched emergency services. The risk of waterborne diseases in such conditions is significantly heightened.
Erosion of Public Trust: Each recurring disaster, preventable to a significant degree, erodes public trust in government’s ability to protect its citizens and manage resources effectively. This can lead to public apathy and a sense of abandonment.
Hindered Development: Resources that could be channeled into development projects are instead diverted to emergency response and recovery efforts, perpetuating a cycle of disaster and dependency.
Lack of Resilience: Without proactive planning and investment in resilient infrastructure (such as robust drainage systems, proper urban planning, and early warning dissemination), communities remain perpetually vulnerable to future climate shocks.
While some efforts are reportedly being made by Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in collaboration with NEMA to forestall flood disasters as the rainy season begins, the Mokwa tragedy serves as a grim testament to the urgent need for a paradigm shift.
It is no longer enough to simply acknowledge climate change or issue warnings. There must be a concerted and sustained effort from all tiers of government to:
Implement and Enforce Urban Planning: Strictly regulate building activities, especially in floodplains and along natural water channels, and ensure proper drainage infrastructure is in place.
Invest in Flood Control Infrastructure: This includes constructing and maintaining effective drainage systems, dredging rivers, and building dams where strategically necessary, while ensuring existing dams are properly managed to avoid catastrophic failures.
Strengthen Early Warning Systems and Response: Enhance the capacity of agencies like NIHSA and NEMA to provide timely and actionable warnings, and equip emergency responders with the necessary resources and training.
Promote Community Engagement and Awareness: Educate communities in flood-prone areas on preparedness measures, evacuation plans, and the importance of adhering to building regulations.
Allocate and Utilize Budgets Effectively: Ensure that budgetary allocations for disaster preparedness and mitigation are not only made but also fully implemented, with transparency and accountability.
The Mokwa floods are a painful reminder that while nature’s fury is undeniable, the scale of human suffering is often a direct consequence of governmental neglect and a profound failure to plan for foreseeable risks.
Learning from this tragedy and prioritizing proactive, comprehensive planning is not merely an option, but an imperative for the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens.
