How Flood Displaced 2.5m Nigerians In 2022

At least, 2.5 million Nigerians were ruined and displaced during the 2022 flooding across the country.

This was even as the flood led to the death of 662 persons, while the states worst hit by the disaster were Anambra, Delta, Kogi, Rivers, Benue, Yobe, Cross River and Bayelsa.

Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr Mustapha Ahmed stated this at the opening of a one-week strategic executive course for Nigeria Emergency Management Stakeholders on Monday in Abuja.

Aside the casualties, thousands of houses, hectares of farmlands and several critical national assets were destroyed during the unprecedented flooding in the history of Nigeria.

Ahmed stated that the capacity building was crucial at a time when the country was recovering from the losses recorded during the 2022 flood disaster.

He was optimistic that the training would provide an opportunity for the participants to share their experiences, and develop holistic approaches to disaster and crises management in the country.

“Records indicate that 662 persons lost their lives, 3,174 others suffered injury and 2, 430, 445 individuals were displaced by the floods.

“Thousands of houses, hectares of farmlands and several critical national assets were destroyed by the raging floods", he said. 

The DG hinted that NEMA in collaboration with state governments and other partners are currently working  towards the long-term recovery of impacted communities across the nation.

He enjoined the participants to transmit the ideas garnered during the training to their various states and local emergency management committees to prepare early against future flood disasters.

The Director of Human Resource Management, NEMA, Mr Musa Zakari was hopeful that the training would assist in re-examining new and efficient approach to disaster management.

He noted that rapid changes in climate resulted to heightened natural disasters across the nation, hence, the need to assist the agency and stakeholders with unique information on disaster management. 

On his part, the Director-General of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Alhaji Abbas Idriss, who spoke on behalf of the participants, thanked NEMA for organising the training.

He disclosed that the training would build their capacity and strengthen their knowledge as they respond to disasters in the country.