Death toll from Mokwa floods tops 500 as calls rise for stronger disaster planning.
The devastating Mokwa flood in Niger State, which claimed more than 500 lives and left over 600 missing in late May, continues to expose weaknesses in Nigeria’s flood preparedness and infrastructure resilience. Critical bridge and dam failures, along with deforestation and poor drainage, worsened the impact.
Today, lawmakers and civil society groups used the tragedy to pressure the federal government for immediate reforms in water‑management policy, early warning systems, and national disaster planning. Many residents affected by destroyed homes and farmland remain displaced months later.
President Tinubu’s administration deployed federal agencies and emergency centers—but critics argue responses were reactive, and structural deficiencies persist. Analysts warn that with 15 million Nigerians at high flood risk across dozens of states, systemic failure could recur unless governance deficits are addressed swiftly.
As rebuilding continues, advocates emphasise linking climate adaptation to political accountability, arguing that prevention and preparedness must be central to future budgets—not just emergency response.
I'm Adedayo Obadina
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