Nigeria experiences several natural hazards, with flooding being the most frequent and destructive. Seasonal flooding occurs almost every year due to heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers (especially the Niger and Benue), poor urban drainage systems, and coastal storm surges. Climate change has intensified these events by increasing rainfall variability, sea-level rise, and the frequency of extreme weather, making floods more severe and less predictable.
The areas facing the greatest impacts are coastal and riverine regions, particularly Lagos State, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Anambra, and Kogi States. Low-lying coastal zones are exposed to storm surges and coastal erosion, while communities along major rivers experience recurrent flooding that destroys homes, farmlands, and infrastructure. Urban informal settlements are also highly vulnerable because they are often located in flood-prone areas with inadequate drainage and waste management systems.
The communities most affected are rural farmers, fishing communities, and low-income urban residents. These groups are vulnerable because their livelihoods depend heavily on natural resources such as land and water, and they often lack the financial capacity to relocate or rebuild after disasters. Flooding leads to crop loss, reduced fish catch, displacement, food insecurity, and increased health risks, thereby deepening poverty and social inequality.
To cope with these challenges, local communities employ various indigenous and adaptive strategies. These include raising house foundations, constructing temporary flood barriers with sandbags, clearing drainage channels collectively, adjusting farming calendars, and temporarily relocating during peak flooding periods. In some riverine areas, communities rely on traditional knowledge to predict flood timing and prepare accordingly. However, these measures are largely short-term and reactive rather than preventive.
Institutional support comes mainly from government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international development partners. Government responses often focus on emergency relief such as food, shelter, and medical aid after flood events. NGOs and international organizations sometimes support awareness campaigns, early warning systems, and climate adaptation projects. Despite these efforts, long-term solutions such as ecosystem restoration, sustainable land-use planning, and community-driven climate resilience initiatives remain limited and under-implemented.