Mokwa Flood Disaster — A Wake-Up Call for Our Leaders. By: Abdulmumeen Abubakar

The recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, is not just a tragedy; it is a wake-up call. The damage caused is far too heavy to ignore — over 10,000 hectares of farmland gone, properties worth millions destroyed, and more than 3,500 people displaced. For many of us, this is not just news; it is a painful reminder that the ordinary Nigerian, especially the farmer, remains the most vulnerable when nature strikes.

The heart of the matter lies in our failure to plan ahead. Every year, we see floods in one part of the country or the other, yet we act surprised when the waters come. This year, it is Mokwa. Who knows where it will be next? It is not enough to share relief materials after the damage has been done. Our government must shift from reactive to proactive. What are we doing to prevent the next flood?

Governor Umaru Bago's intervention, including the ₦1 billion donation and the 50 trucks of grains, is commendable. Also, awarding a ₦7 billion contract for road and bridge construction is a bold step. But we must ask, why did it take a disaster before this attention was given to the area? Should our communities wait for floods before they get roads and bridges?

More importantly, the agricultural losses are alarming. Paddy rice fields destroyed across Niger, Kwara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kano states? That is not a small issue. In a country battling food insecurity, every hectare of farmland matters. These farmers are the backbone of our food system, and when they suffer, the entire country suffers.

We must begin to treat environmental management and infrastructure development as national priorities. Nigeria needs proper flood management strategies — dams, drainage systems, early warning mechanisms, and proper urban and rural planning. We cannot afford to keep patching problems when they explode; we must start building systems that prevent them in the first place.

Lastly, the humanitarian aspect of this disaster must not be forgotten. Thousands have lost homes and livelihoods. They need more than food and mats; they need hope, support, and assurance that their government is not just seeing them, but working for them.

Mokwa’s flood is not just a natural disaster; it is a reflection of our systemic failure. But it can also be the beginning of a new approach if we learn the lessons and act decisively.

Abdulmumeen Abubakar from Bauchi and can be reach through +234 803 110 5976