FG unveils proactive flood mitigation response plan

By Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government on Wednesday launched Nigeria’s Anticipatory Action Framework, aimed at shifting from reactive crisis response to proactive disaster preparedness.

Vice President Kashim Shettima unveiled the new framework during a validation workshop held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja. The initiative is designed to leverage early warning systems, community empowerment, and pre-arranged funding to save lives and protect livelihoods ahead of natural disasters, particularly flooding.

“Floods and other climate disasters are no longer distant threats—they are already impacting millions,” Shettima said, referencing the over five million Nigerians affected by floods in 2024. “For decades, we’ve been reactive. That must change. We must act before disasters unfold.”

The new framework is built on three key pillars: satellite-powered early warning systems, pre-triggered financing, and locally-driven preparedness. According to the Vice President, anticipatory actions like these can reduce disaster-related losses by up to 60%.

Citing a success story from Benue State, Shettima highlighted that trained volunteers were able to evacuate 80,000 people within 72 hours following early warning alerts—demonstrating the life-saving power of coordinated, proactive response.

A central part of the plan includes a “trigger group” made up of agencies such as NiMet, NiHSA, NEMA, NASRDA, and NOA, working alongside global humanitarian partners like UNOCHA, WFP, FAO, and IFRC to deliver forecasts and alerts up to two weeks in advance.

“Our citizens must not be caught off guard anymore. It’s time to embed this framework into our institutions and stay accountable to its promise,” Shettima said, urging participants to move beyond policy discussions and into concrete action.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, reiterated the Tinubu administration’s support for operationalizing the plan. He proposed using the National Social Register as part of a national resilience infrastructure, while advocating for early funding mechanisms, improved data sharing, and the establishment of a national risk coordination centre.