LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — As Nigeria faces another season of devastating floods, experts across environmental, engineering, and health sectors are urging a shift in national strategy: floodwaters should be treated not only as threats, but as valuable resources for power generation, irrigation, and sustainable development.
Malick Fofana, Director of Technical Programmes at the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, said floodwaters, if properly managed, could be harnessed to power turbines and support controlled irrigation systems. He emphasized the need for accurate floodplain mapping and community-driven early warning systems.
“Floods and waste are not just urban problems; they’re untapped resources waiting for smart solutions,” Fofana said. “We need to institutionalize circular economy practices that convert waste into resources, create jobs, and reduce landfill pressure.”
Government officials have responded with renewed urgency. The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation released its annual flood outlook, highlighting improved forecasting, infrastructure upgrades, and community preparedness. Emergency relief efforts have included financial aid and food distribution to affected regions.
Dr. Waliu Adeolu, President of the Nigerian Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment, called for proactive dam management. “Hydroelectric generation could triple or quadruple our current output if we harness dam water productively,” he said. “This would reduce excess water release during rains and prevent flooding.”
The health sector is also mobilizing. Medical teams have deployed mobile clinics, vaccination drives, and sanitation campaigns to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and malaria. Public health officials warn that stagnant floodwaters pose serious risks, especially in densely populated areas.
Electrical engineer Fubara Omubo proposed innovative methods for converting floodwaters into renewable energy. He highlighted tidal power and run-of-river hydropower projects as eco-friendly alternatives that could serve both energy and flood control needs.
“These systems can generate electricity while helping manage flood levels, especially in coastal and riverine communities,” Omubo said.
Experts agree that building resilient cities requires collaboration across sectors. “A sustainable city is a shared dream we must all wake up and build together,” Fofana said. From afforestation in the north to wetland protection in the lowlands, tailored strategies must be adopted nationwide.
With climate-related disasters becoming more frequent, Nigeria’s path forward may depend on its ability to turn crisis into opportunity — transforming floodwaters from a destructive force into a driver of innovation, energy, and growth.
