by Flooding is not confined to developing countries. Even some of the world’s wealthiest nations have suffered devastating floods, and they continue to do so.
History reminds us of the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, one of the worst river floods in the history of the United States, which claimed about 246 lives. More recently, the 2021 European floods ravaged Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Triggered by torrential rainfall that caused rivers to overflow, the disaster claimed more than 240 lives, with Germany recording the highest death toll. Thousands of homes were destroyed, while roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure were severely damaged.
Nigeria, therefore, cannot be an exception. Floods are a natural phenomenon experienced across the world. Their occurrence is not determined solely by whether a country lies below sea level. Although Nigeria is generally above sea level, including Lagos, many parts of the country remain vulnerable to flooding due to intense rainfall, overflowing rivers, poor drainage systems, rapid urbanisation, encroachment on flood plains and the obstruction of natural waterways. Consequently, many of our flood disasters are not merely natural events but are significantly worsened by human actions and institutional failures.
That brings us to the real issue.
The difference between developed countries and Nigeria is not that one experiences floods while the other does not. Rather, it is the approach to disaster management before and after the event. Developed countries generally place a premium on planning, due process, enforcement of regulations and continuous learning. When disasters occur, they investigate the causes, identify institutional failures, implement corrective measures and strengthen resilience against future occurrences.
Nigeria’s experience tells a different story.
Greed, dereliction of duty, corruption, cronyism, patronage and weak institutions have combined to undermine environmental management. Public officials entrusted with enforcing building regulations, protecting waterways and preserving drainage channels are often compromised, while many citizens willingly induce officials to ignore violations. It is a dangerous partnership in which everyone loses.
Every year, governments allocate budgets for environmental protection, drainage maintenance and erosion control. Yet one is left wondering whether the right resources are reaching the right places. Even more disturbing is the failure of agencies responsible for monitoring and sanctioning offenders. Where enforcement is compromised, impunity flourishes.
The day due process becomes sacrosanct and the law becomes truly blind to status, influence and connections is the day Nigeria will begin its genuine march towards progress.
If a citizen bribes a government official to approve an illegal structure or overlook an environmental offence, every person involved should face the full weight of the law whenever the offence is discovered—even decades later and even if the public officer has retired. Retirement should never become immunity for public misconduct.
Sadly, the social media era has also produced an army of loud but uninformed voices: hired propagandists, ethnic bigots, professional hatchet men and women, and demagogues who manipulate emotions while discouraging critical thinking. It is therefore unsurprising that many people would rather organise prayer sessions against floods than confront the self-inflicted causes—indiscriminate refuse disposal, blocked drainage systems, illegal developments on flood plains and the general culture of indiscipline.
Faith has its place, but prayers cannot substitute for responsibility.
No matter whose ox is gored, Nigeria must embrace a culture where the law is supreme, institutions work without fear or favour, and accountability is non-negotiable. Let the rats squeak as rats and the birds chirp as birds. Punish wrongdoing. Reward compliance. Enforce law and order.
Anything short of that is merely setting the stage for the next avoidable disaster.
As Albert Einstein is widely credited with saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If we continue to ignore the causes of flooding while lamenting its consequences, we should not expect a different outcome.
