The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, Northwest Nigeria, and the National Emergency Management Agency have launched the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards in Sokoto State, warning that parts of the state remain vulnerable to flooding during the current rainy season.
The campaign was inaugurated on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ engagement on imminent flooding and the dissemination of early warning messages held at the Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur’anic and General Studies Auditorium in Sokoto.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of Sokoto SEMA, Prof. Abubakar Junaidu, who represented the Special Adviser overseeing the agency, Aminu Bodinga, said proactive measures were necessary to safeguard lives, property and critical infrastructure from flood disasters.
He noted that Sokoto State had suffered varying degrees of flooding in recent years, destroying homes, farmlands, roads and other socio-economic assets.
“Sokoto State has experienced various degrees of flooding in recent years, leading to the destruction of houses, farmlands, roads and other socio-economic assets, thereby affecting the livelihoods of vulnerable members of society,” Junaidu said.
He added that forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency indicated the likelihood of significant rainfall and flooding in some parts of the country, making preparedness and mitigation efforts imperative.
According to him, effective disaster management depends on ensuring that early warning information reaches communities promptly and in a language they understand.
“We must ensure that early warning messages reach communities in a timely and understandable manner. Local government authorities, traditional institutions, religious leaders, community-based organisations and the media all have critical roles to play in intensifying awareness campaigns on flood prevention and preparedness,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, represented by the Head of Operations, NEMA Sokoto Office, Tukur Abubakar, revealed that 132 local government areas across Nigeria have been classified as high flood-risk zones. At the same time, 148 LGAs in 14 states fall within moderate-risk areas.
She said Sokoto State remains among the states requiring special attention, identifying Goronyo, Gudu, Kebbe, Kware, Sabon Birni, Silame, Sokoto North and Wamakko local government areas as particularly vulnerable.
“The July-to-September period remains the most critical phase of the rainy season. There is a possibility of overflow from the River Rima, which could threaten riverside communities, farmlands and critical infrastructure,” she warned.
Mrs Umar explained that NEMA developed its 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework after reviewing seasonal forecasts from NiMet and NIHSA.
She said the framework focuses on strengthening local emergency response capacity, conducting simulation exercises, ensuring compliance with flood advisories, pre-positioning relief materials, assessing vulnerable infrastructure and developing community evacuation plans.
Calling for broader participation in disaster risk-reduction efforts, she stressed that flood preparedness should not be left to government agencies alone.
“Preventing avoidable flood disasters requires a whole-of-society approach. Traditional rulers, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media and private sector stakeholders must support the dissemination of early warning messages and preparedness measures,” she said.
The engagement brought together government officials, traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, development partners, civil society organisations and media practitioners to strengthen coordination and improve flood preparedness across Sokoto State.
The programme was supported by SAHEL Agriculture and Nutrition Consultant.
Source: Punch
