NAS Statement on Recent Devastating Floods in Northern Nigeria

The Nigerian Academy of Science wishes to express sympathy to the nation for the recent flood disaster experienced in Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa and Taraba States between August and September 2024.

We join other Nigerians to commiserate with the victims of these disheartening incidents. We commend the federal and state governments and several other public-spirited organizations and individuals for their show of love through various immediate and on-going interventions to bring succour and hope for all affected by the unfortunate incidents.

As a community of scientists, we note that even if unfortunate incidents of this nature cannot be perfectly prevented – being one of the vagaries of nature, they can be experienced with near-zero casualty if appropriate scientific thoughts and principles are incorporated into our national life.

Our initial observation has revealed that both natural and human factors contributed to these flood incidents and resulting disaster. We recognize the role of river overflow in the Jigawa and Borno episodes, possibly as part of the effects of global climate change, as well as the exacerbation of the latter episode by the failure of the Alau dam constructed on the channel of the River Ngadda some 20km south of Maiduguri.

It is part of the mandate of the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) to assist government and stakeholders in addressing national problems that can be solved by the application of science, technology and innovation. To reduce frequencies of flood disasters in our nation, which by divine benevolence are relatively minimal, conscious effort must be made to:
• commission environmental vulnerability mapping of potential disaster hotspots across the nation;
• commit to rigorous environmental impact assessment of large-scale infrastructure with potential disaster consequences; and
• construct and routinely simulate and operate contingency plans to rapidly respond to specific disasters

In all the above tasks, the Nigerian Academy of Science stands ready to provide expert advice.

Professor Ekanem Braide, FAS, OFR                             Professor Jonathan Babalola, FAS
President                                                                   Public Affairs Secretary