Nigeria Adopts Proactive Flood Strategy as NEC Approves N83.21bn for Flood Preparedness

June 18 () — The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the release of N83.21 billion for flood preparedness, early warning systems, and climate-related disaster mitigation across Nigeria, marking a major policy shift from reactive emergency responses to anticipatory action in managing recurring environmental crises.

Aimed at strengthening national preparedness ahead of the 2026 rainy season, amid forecasts of severe flooding in several parts of the country, the approval was granted at the 158th meeting of the Council held on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, and presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with state governors and key federal officials in attendance.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, said the Council approved N83.21 billion, representing 50 per cent of the N166.42 billion requested by the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF), which coordinates early response mechanisms to flooding and other climate-related emergencies.

According to him, the decision reflects a deliberate shift toward preventive disaster management rather than the traditional approach of post-disaster relief interventions.

He explained that NEC members agreed on the need to institutionalise anticipatory action as a permanent framework for national disaster response, rather than treating it as an ad hoc measure.

Otu said the Council also considered resource constraints in approving only half of the requested amount, while leaving room for further assessments and possible supplementary funding.

“I want you to know that this is the first time, as a nation, that we are taking proactive steps. Most times, we wait until floods have caused significant damage before taking action,” he said.

He added that the Council, under the leadership of the Vice President, was determined to ensure that future flood impacts are significantly reduced through early intervention systems.

On his part, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, said the intervention represents only the first phase of a broader national flood control strategy, which includes long-term infrastructure such as reservoirs to manage excess water releases from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam.

He noted that Nigeria’s flood challenge is both climatic and structural, requiring sustained investment in infrastructure and coordinated regional cooperation.

Mutfwang stressed that while the current funding may not fully address the scale of the problem, it demonstrates a new willingness to prioritise prevention over reaction.

At the meeting, Vice President Shettima urged stronger collaboration between federal and state governments in addressing structural barriers affecting Nigeria’s agricultural exports and broader economic performance.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is at a stage where reforms must translate into measurable improvements in the lives of citizens.

“When this Council last met, I called our economy a workshop… We return to that bench today. Not to admire the image, but to ask the question that honours it. Is the work taking shape?” he said.

Shettima stressed that Nigeria’s economic transformation must be assessed by its impact on farmers, manufacturers, vulnerable groups, and unemployed youths, rather than policy pronouncements alone.

He warned that persistent export bottlenecks, particularly at ports, continue to limit Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets.

“A nation that cannot move its goods has imprisoned its own farmers,” he said, urging reforms to improve logistics, compliance systems, and market access.

The NEC also considered the proposed National Regional Development Policy (NRDP) 2026–2030, presented by the Ministry of Regional Development.

Briefing journalists, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf said the policy is designed to address long-standing regional disparities and promote balanced development across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

The framework aligns with the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2026–2030 and seeks to harmonise development planning across regional development commissions.

Its objectives include strengthening coordination of regional projects, aligning programmes with national priorities such as food security, infrastructure, healthcare, education, energy, industrialisation, and digital innovation, as well as improving institutional governance structures.

The Council also discussed proposals for the establishment of a Regional Development Bank to support the implementation of major projects across regions.

At the end of deliberations, NEC directed that the draft policy be circulated to state governors for review, while consultations with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum will be held to ensure broad consensus and sub-national ownership.

In a related presentation, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, said the Council reviewed strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s agro-export value chain through improved compliance with international shipping and port security standards.

He said Nigeria currently earns about 80 per cent of its export revenue from crude oil, while an estimated $50 billion in annual agro-export potential remains untapped due to compliance and logistics challenges.

NEC accordingly directed full prioritisation of International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) compliance as a national economic and security objective, alongside improved funding for port infrastructure.

The Council also approved the establishment of a national agro-export board to streamline export processes and enhance coordination across relevant agencies.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele through the Accountant-General of the Federation, presented updates on key national reserve and stabilisation accounts.

As of June 17, 2026, the Excess Crude Account stood at $535.82 million, while the Stabilisation Account and Natural Resources Development Account recorded N79.06 billion and N200.69 billion respectively.

The Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the figures reflect ongoing fiscal management efforts aimed at maintaining macroeconomic stability amid global economic pressures.

The NEC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness, improving economic resilience, and advancing structural reforms aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s economy away from crude oil dependence.