The Catastrophic Event in Mokwa
The floods struck Mokwa, a market town in central Nigeria, after several hours of relentless rainfall. According to Abullahi Baba-Arah, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema), the surging floodwaters overwhelmed the town, submerging and washing away over 50 residential houses along with their occupants. The districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa bore the brunt of the disaster, with homes collapsing under the force of the water. Mokwa's District Head, Muhammad Shaba Aliyu, described the event as unprecedented, noting that the community had not experienced flooding of this magnitude in 60 years. "I beg the government to support us," Aliyu pleaded, reflecting the desperation felt by residents as they faced the loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods.
Initial reports from the BBC and other sources, including posts on X, indicated a death toll of at least 110, with some later updates suggesting the number could be as high as 117 in Niger State alone. Rescue efforts remain ongoing, with local fishermen and emergency responders working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies. One local fisherman, Danjuma Shaba, told the AFP news agency, "I don’t have a house to sleep in. My house has already collapsed," highlighting the personal toll of the disaster. The search for missing individuals continues, with authorities warning that many more remain at risk as floodwaters linger.
A Pattern of Flooding in Nigeria
While Nigeria experiences seasonal flooding annually, particularly in coastal and riverine areas, the scale of destruction in 2025 echoes the severity of past disasters. In 2024, heavy rainfall and flooding ravaged parts of northern Nigeria, causing deaths, displacing thousands, and destroying homes and infrastructure. The 2022 floods, however, remain a grim benchmark, with over 600 fatalities, 1.3 million people displaced, and more than 200,000 homes damaged or destroyed. That year, the combination of heavy rains, poor urban planning, and the release of excess water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam exacerbated the crisis, a pattern that continues to haunt the region.
The current floods in Mokwa mark the start of the 2025 rainy season, a period when Nigeria’s vulnerability to flooding becomes starkly apparent. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had warned in its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, presented in April 2025, that 31 of the country’s 36 states, including Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Ondo, and Niger, faced high flood risks. The agency highlighted the potential for both coastal and riverine flooding, particularly in southern states like Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers, where rising sea levels and overflowing rivers pose significant threats. This predictive insight, however, has yet to translate into sufficient preventive measures to avert such tragedies.
Causes: Natural and Human Factors
The floods in Mokwa and across Nigeria result from a complex interplay of natural and human-induced factors. Torrential rains, a hallmark of the rainy season, overwhelmed local drainage systems, which are often inadequate or poorly maintained. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency noted the intensity and duration of the rainfall as a primary driver, with water levels rising rapidly and leaving little time for evacuation.
However, human activities have significantly aggravated the situation. In a 2024 report by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, experts like Ibrahim Wasiu Adeniyi, head of the central forecasting unit, pointed to practices such as indiscriminate waste disposal and unauthorized construction along waterways as key contributors to flooding. “What we are doing is causing this climate change so there is a shift from the normal,” Adeniyi stated, emphasizing how human behavior exacerbates natural phenomena. Unlike 2022, when excessive rainfall was the primary culprit, the 2025 floods reflect a mix of climatic shifts and poor land-use practices.
Climate change also plays a critical role. A 2022 study by the World Weather Attribution group found that heavy rainfall in West Africa, including Nigeria, was made 80 times more likely by human-induced climate change. The warming climate intensifies rainfall patterns, leading to more frequent and severe downpours. While Nigeria contributes minimally to global emissions, it bears a disproportionate burden of climate impacts, a reality echoed across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Impacts: Loss of Life, Property, and Livelihoods
The human toll of the Mokwa floods is staggering. At least 110 lives have been lost, with families shattered and communities left in mourning. The destruction of over 50 homes has displaced countless residents, many of whom now face homelessness and the loss of personal belongings. The emotional and psychological scars of such a disaster will linger for years, as survivors like Danjuma Shaba grapple with the collapse of their homes and the uncertainty of their future.
Beyond the immediate loss of life and property, the floods threaten Nigeria’s already fragile economy and food security. In 2024, flooding destroyed 107,000 hectares of farmland, and the 2025 disaster risks further devastation. Northern Nigeria, a key agricultural region, supplies much of the nation’s harvests, but flooding has disrupted planting and harvesting cycles. This comes at a time when Nigeria battles double-digit inflation, driven in part by soaring food prices. The destruction of farmland exacerbates this crisis, with farmers like Abdullahi Gummi in Zamfara State lamenting losses of crops worth 300,000 naira ($188) in 2024, a pattern likely to repeat in 2025.
The ripple effects extend to health and sanitation. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, reflecting on flooding in Maiduguri in 2024, warned of the risk of waterborne diseases due to flooded sewer systems. In Mokwa, similar concerns arise as stagnant water creates breeding grounds for pathogens, threatening the health of displaced populations with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
Response and Relief Efforts
In the wake of the Mokwa floods, local and national authorities have mobilized to address the crisis. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency is coordinating search and rescue operations, with support from community members and local fishermen. Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima visited displaced residents in Borno State in 2024, promising food, shelter, and medicine, though delivery of these supplies has often been slow. In Mokwa, similar pledges have been made, but the scale of the disaster strains limited resources.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and other humanitarian partners are working with government agencies to provide emergency support, including cash, shelter, and improved sanitation. The Nigerian government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has called for evacuation from flood-prone areas, with spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel urging residents to “evacuate now … because we don’t have time any longer.” However, the lack of adequate infrastructure and early warning systems hampers effective response, leaving many communities unprepared.
The Path Forward: Building Resilience
The floods in Mokwa and across Nigeria highlight the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. First, improving infrastructure is critical. Drainage systems must be upgraded and maintained to handle heavy rainfall, and unauthorized construction along waterways should be strictly regulated. The 2025 Annual Flood Outlook by NIHSA, which now identifies specific at-risk communities, offers a valuable tool for targeted preparedness, as noted by Director General Umar Mohammed.
Second, addressing the root causes of climate vulnerability is essential. Nigeria must invest in climate adaptation measures, such as flood barriers and buffer dams, to mitigate the impact of rising waters. The absence of a twin dam to contain overflow from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, a need identified since the 1980s, remains a glaring gap in flood management.
Finally, international support is crucial. Sub-Saharan Africa, despite its low contribution to global emissions, faces severe climate impacts. Global collaboration, aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goals, can provide funding and expertise to bolster Nigeria’s resilience. The World Economic Forum’s Climate Initiative underscores the need for public and private-sector partnerships to scale climate action, a model Nigeria could leverage.
Conclusion
The tragic floods in Mokwa, which killed at least 110 people, serve as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s vulnerability to natural disasters. As the rainy season begins, the nation faces the dual challenge of immediate relief and long-term resilience. The loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods underscores the human cost of inaction, while the broader impacts on food security and health demand urgent attention. By addressing the causes both natural and human and investing in infrastructure, preparedness, and climate adaptation, Nigeria can mitigate future risks. For now, the people of Mokwa and beyond look to their leaders and the global community for support, hoping to rebuild and recover from this devastating blow.
The floods struck Mokwa, a market town in central Nigeria, after several hours of relentless rainfall. According to Abullahi Baba-Arah, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (Nsema), the surging floodwaters overwhelmed the town, submerging and washing away over 50 residential houses along with their occupants. The districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa bore the brunt of the disaster, with homes collapsing under the force of the water. Mokwa's District Head, Muhammad Shaba Aliyu, described the event as unprecedented, noting that the community had not experienced flooding of this magnitude in 60 years. "I beg the government to support us," Aliyu pleaded, reflecting the desperation felt by residents as they faced the loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods.
Initial reports from the BBC and other sources, including posts on X, indicated a death toll of at least 110, with some later updates suggesting the number could be as high as 117 in Niger State alone. Rescue efforts remain ongoing, with local fishermen and emergency responders working tirelessly to locate survivors and recover bodies. One local fisherman, Danjuma Shaba, told the AFP news agency, "I don’t have a house to sleep in. My house has already collapsed," highlighting the personal toll of the disaster. The search for missing individuals continues, with authorities warning that many more remain at risk as floodwaters linger.
A Pattern of Flooding in Nigeria
While Nigeria experiences seasonal flooding annually, particularly in coastal and riverine areas, the scale of destruction in 2025 echoes the severity of past disasters. In 2024, heavy rainfall and flooding ravaged parts of northern Nigeria, causing deaths, displacing thousands, and destroying homes and infrastructure. The 2022 floods, however, remain a grim benchmark, with over 600 fatalities, 1.3 million people displaced, and more than 200,000 homes damaged or destroyed. That year, the combination of heavy rains, poor urban planning, and the release of excess water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam exacerbated the crisis, a pattern that continues to haunt the region.
The current floods in Mokwa mark the start of the 2025 rainy season, a period when Nigeria’s vulnerability to flooding becomes starkly apparent. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had warned in its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, presented in April 2025, that 31 of the country’s 36 states, including Lagos, Ogun, Abia, Ondo, and Niger, faced high flood risks. The agency highlighted the potential for both coastal and riverine flooding, particularly in southern states like Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers, where rising sea levels and overflowing rivers pose significant threats. This predictive insight, however, has yet to translate into sufficient preventive measures to avert such tragedies.
The floods in Mokwa and across Nigeria result from a complex interplay of natural and human-induced factors. Torrential rains, a hallmark of the rainy season, overwhelmed local drainage systems, which are often inadequate or poorly maintained. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency noted the intensity and duration of the rainfall as a primary driver, with water levels rising rapidly and leaving little time for evacuation.
However, human activities have significantly aggravated the situation. In a 2024 report by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, experts like Ibrahim Wasiu Adeniyi, head of the central forecasting unit, pointed to practices such as indiscriminate waste disposal and unauthorized construction along waterways as key contributors to flooding. “What we are doing is causing this climate change so there is a shift from the normal,” Adeniyi stated, emphasizing how human behavior exacerbates natural phenomena. Unlike 2022, when excessive rainfall was the primary culprit, the 2025 floods reflect a mix of climatic shifts and poor land-use practices.
Climate change also plays a critical role. A 2022 study by the World Weather Attribution group found that heavy rainfall in West Africa, including Nigeria, was made 80 times more likely by human-induced climate change. The warming climate intensifies rainfall patterns, leading to more frequent and severe downpours. While Nigeria contributes minimally to global emissions, it bears a disproportionate burden of climate impacts, a reality echoed across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Impacts: Loss of Life, Property, and Livelihoods
The human toll of the Mokwa floods is staggering. At least 110 lives have been lost, with families shattered and communities left in mourning. The destruction of over 50 homes has displaced countless residents, many of whom now face homelessness and the loss of personal belongings. The emotional and psychological scars of such a disaster will linger for years, as survivors like Danjuma Shaba grapple with the collapse of their homes and the uncertainty of their future.
Beyond the immediate loss of life and property, the floods threaten Nigeria’s already fragile economy and food security. In 2024, flooding destroyed 107,000 hectares of farmland, and the 2025 disaster risks further devastation. Northern Nigeria, a key agricultural region, supplies much of the nation’s harvests, but flooding has disrupted planting and harvesting cycles. This comes at a time when Nigeria battles double-digit inflation, driven in part by soaring food prices. The destruction of farmland exacerbates this crisis, with farmers like Abdullahi Gummi in Zamfara State lamenting losses of crops worth 300,000 naira ($188) in 2024, a pattern likely to repeat in 2025.
The ripple effects extend to health and sanitation. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, reflecting on flooding in Maiduguri in 2024, warned of the risk of waterborne diseases due to flooded sewer systems. In Mokwa, similar concerns arise as stagnant water creates breeding grounds for pathogens, threatening the health of displaced populations with limited access to clean water and sanitation.
Response and Relief Efforts
In the wake of the Mokwa floods, local and national authorities have mobilized to address the crisis. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency is coordinating search and rescue operations, with support from community members and local fishermen. Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima visited displaced residents in Borno State in 2024, promising food, shelter, and medicine, though delivery of these supplies has often been slow. In Mokwa, similar pledges have been made, but the scale of the disaster strains limited resources.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and other humanitarian partners are working with government agencies to provide emergency support, including cash, shelter, and improved sanitation. The Nigerian government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has called for evacuation from flood-prone areas, with spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel urging residents to “evacuate now … because we don’t have time any longer.” However, the lack of adequate infrastructure and early warning systems hampers effective response, leaving many communities unprepared.
The Path Forward: Building Resilience
The floods in Mokwa and across Nigeria highlight the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. First, improving infrastructure is critical. Drainage systems must be upgraded and maintained to handle heavy rainfall, and unauthorized construction along waterways should be strictly regulated. The 2025 Annual Flood Outlook by NIHSA, which now identifies specific at-risk communities, offers a valuable tool for targeted preparedness, as noted by Director General Umar Mohammed.
Second, addressing the root causes of climate vulnerability is essential. Nigeria must invest in climate adaptation measures, such as flood barriers and buffer dams, to mitigate the impact of rising waters. The absence of a twin dam to contain overflow from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, a need identified since the 1980s, remains a glaring gap in flood management.
Finally, international support is crucial. Sub-Saharan Africa, despite its low contribution to global emissions, faces severe climate impacts. Global collaboration, aligned with the Paris Agreement’s goals, can provide funding and expertise to bolster Nigeria’s resilience. The World Economic Forum’s Climate Initiative underscores the need for public and private-sector partnerships to scale climate action, a model Nigeria could leverage.
Conclusion
The tragic floods in Mokwa, which killed at least 110 people, serve as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s vulnerability to natural disasters. As the rainy season begins, the nation faces the dual challenge of immediate relief and long-term resilience. The loss of lives, homes, and livelihoods underscores the human cost of inaction, while the broader impacts on food security and health demand urgent attention. By addressing the causes both natural and human and investing in infrastructure, preparedness, and climate adaptation, Nigeria can mitigate future risks. For now, the people of Mokwa and beyond look to their leaders and the global community for support, hoping to rebuild and recover from this devastating blow.
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