FG Commences Development of National Flood Insurance Policy to Enhance Flooding Resilience

FG Commences Development of National Flood Insurance Policy to Enhance Flooding Resilience

The Federal Government has commenced the development of a National Flood Insurance Policy and implementation framework (NFIP) so as to provide comprehensive support and protection for victims and communities affected by flooding

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr. Mahmud Kambari made the disclosure at a Technical Committee Meeting on NFIP held in Abuja.

He emphasized the meeting’s importance, citing unprecedented flooding in several States of the Federation in recent times

Kambari noted that reports from the Ministry, NEMA, and UN OCHA reveal that several States across the country experienced severe flooding in 2024 leading to colossal loss of lives, property and displacements in some States, particularly Borno, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger.

Kambari who attributed the increasing flood incidents across the country to climate change, urbanisation, and inadequate infrastructure stated that recently in Mokwa (Niger State) alone,
about 200 lives were lost,
3,000 displaced, more than 265 houses destroyed, and 503 households impacted by the flooding.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the establishment of the NFIP as outlined in Section C 2.4.3 (iv) of the National Erosion and Flood Control Policy (NEFCOP), serves as a cornerstone that will provide financial resilience, alleviate government expenditure and also institutionalize risk sharing among the three tiers of government, private sector stakeholders and floodplain developers.

He therefore charged participants to focus on comprehensive analysis, stakeholder engagement, policy formulation, and implementation roadmap, ensuring that the National Flood Insurance Program is effective, inclusive, and a model of resilience.

*As participants in this TCM, your expertise, insights and commitment are invaluable. Let us approach this task with unwavering commitment and purpose, knowing that the lives, livelihoods, and future resilience of our communities depend on the solutions we craft today,* the Permanent Secretary said

In a welcome address, the Director of Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management (EFCZM), Mr. Usman Bokani emphasized the importance of a coordinated and sustainable approach to flood risk management, given the escalating frequency and severity of flooding in Nigeria due to climate change, rapid urbanization, and land use pressures.

He urged the Technical Committee to move beyond policy formulation to developing practical implementation strategies tailored to Nigeria’s unique realities and needs.

Dr. Etim Amba, Co-Lead Resource Person, emphasized that mitigating flooding in Nigeria requires multifaceted efforts, including improved urban and environmental planning, designing flood-resilient infrastructure, developing efficient drainage systems, as well as implementing reforestation and sustainable land use planning

“Let us develop a strategy that will prevent, protect, spread the cost of damage so that victims of flooding can recover with ease,” he said

The NFIP Technical Committee brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, development partners, and non-governmental agencies to brainstorm and develop strategies for a resilient and sustainable flood insurance framework for Nigeria.