How Nigeria can build resilience against flooding

Nigeria has 27 states with a high risk of flooding, according to the Annual Flood Outlook of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. In light of recent global events showcasing the devastating impact of flooding, the importance of building resilience against such natural disasters cannot be undermined. To delve into what lessons Nigeria can learn from Dutch expertise in flood resilience, Tjeerd Driessen, a Flood Resilience expert at Royal HaskoningDHV, shared insights in a recent interview on CNBC Africa. The interview highlighted the urgent need for countries like Nigeria to prepare for the escalating challenges posed by climate change. Driessen emphasized the critical role of both climate mitigation and adaptation in enhancing resilience against natural hazards. With climate change-induced events becoming more frequent and severe, investing in strategies to mitigate risks and bolster resilience has become imperative. Drawing parallels between the recent devastating floods in Europe and the Netherlands' successful flood management strategies, Driessen shed light on key factors contributing to the Dutch resilience. Unlike neighboring countries like Germany and Belgium, the Netherlands, with its well-established river system and post-1995 flood infrastructure investments, managed to mitigate the impact of floods effectively. In terms of similarities between the Nigerian and Dutch flood scenarios, Driessen underscored shared challenges such as coastal, river, and urban flooding. He pointed out that both countries experience a range of flooding issues, including bouts of drought, underlining the interconnectedness of flooding and drought cycles exacerbated by climate change. A pivotal lesson that Nigeria can glean from the Netherlands lies in the spatial planning and management of water resources. Following the devastating floods of 1995, the Netherlands adopted a strategy that allowed more natural space for rivers to flow, a measure that proved crucial in averting severe flooding in subsequent events. Driessen emphasized the importance of urban planning and proper land use regulations in mitigating flood risks, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization in Nigeria. He highlighted the need for robust legislative frameworks that prioritize investment in flood protection and resilience, emphasizing the non-politicization of water governance as a key factor in successful flood management. Mobile-enabled warning systems and early warning mechanisms were also underscored as essential tools for enhancing disaster preparedness and response in flood-prone regions. By leveraging technology and implementing effective communication strategies, Nigeria can improve its capacity to forecast and respond to flood events swiftly. In conclusion, Driessen's insights shed light on the critical steps that Nigeria can take to build resilience against flooding, drawing valuable lessons from the Dutch experience. By prioritizing urban planning, implementing robust legislative frameworks, and investing in early warning systems, Nigeria can enhance its preparedness and response to the escalating threat of flooding exacerbated by climate change.