By Emmanuel Kwada
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF) on Floods, aimed at curbing the devastating impact of flooding as the rainy season approaches.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the initiative on Tuesday during a high-level meeting of the task force at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, emphasizing the urgent need to protect lives and livelihoods through coordinated, science-driven efforts.
The move aligns Nigeria with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, all of which prioritize proactive disaster mitigation.
We cannot afford to wait for disaster to strike before taking action
Vice President Shettima underscored that the traditional approach of mobilizing relief after floods strike is no longer viable given the escalating human and economic toll of flooding across the country.
“We cannot afford to wait for disaster to strike before taking action,” Shettima declared. “The human and economic toll of floods in Nigeria has become unbearable. We must act now to protect lives and livelihoods by leveraging science, technology, and collaboration.”
The human and economic toll of floods in Nigeria has become unbearable
The Anticipatory Action Task Force comprises key agencies, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, alongside state emergency management agencies and international development partners.
Shettima emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination, community engagement, and the use of real-time data to ensure effective preparedness. “Prevention is always cheaper than response,” he noted, adding that “investing in early action today will save billions in future losses.”
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s vulnerability to flooding, exacerbated by climate change and inadequate infrastructure. Recent years have seen devastating floods displace communities, destroy farmland, and strain national resources, prompting calls for a more sustainable approach to disaster management.
The initiative received strong backing from international partners during the meeting. Mohamed Fall, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, described the shift to anticipatory action as “critical,” particularly in light of the United States’ recent suspension of humanitarian funding.
As we approach the rainy season, we must ensure that our interventions are timely and effective
“This is a wake-up call for us to be more efficient,” Fall said. “As we approach the rainy season, we must ensure that our interventions are timely and effective.”
Trond Jensen, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria, praised the government’s leadership, calling Nigeria a “vanguard of innovation in anticipatory action.”
He highlighted the efficiency of proactive measures, stating, “Not only are we saving lives and reducing vulnerability, we are doing it more efficiently.” Jensen expressed gratitude for the opportunity to partner with the Nigerian government on this pioneering effort.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, outlined the agency’s contributions to the task force, including the development of the Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis—a comprehensive document designed to bolster Nigeria’s resilience against flooding.
“We have established a national coordination forum, bringing together all relevant agencies to ensure readiness,” Umar explained. She noted that the effort is underpinned by seasonal climate predictions from NiMet, keeping stakeholders on high alert as the rainy season looms.
Inna Binta Audu, Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Development Partners, provided further insight into the task force’s progress.
Presently, we have collated relevant data going back 30 years
She revealed that the group has already compiled extensive data spanning three decades to inform the Anticipatory Action Framework for Nigeria. “Presently, we have collated relevant data going back 30 years,” Audu said, emphasizing the depth of analysis driving the initiative.
Additional remarks were delivered by the Directors-General of NiMet and NIHSA, as well as Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, underscoring the collaborative nature of the task force.
Vice President Shettima’s remarks framed the launch as a national imperative, warning that inaction could have dire consequences as climate-related challenges intensify.
“We need to strengthen coordination among agencies, engage local communities, and ensure that preparedness efforts are backed by real-time data,” he reiterated.
The establishment of the AATF signals a turning point in Nigeria’s approach to disaster management, with the government betting on prevention to mitigate the annual devastation wrought by floods.
As the rainy season nears, the success of this proactive strategy will depend on swift implementation, robust collaboration, and the effective use of predictive tools to safeguard vulnerable populations.
