Maiduguri is currently experiencing one of the worst flood incidents in the history of Borno State. The devastating floods have left thousands displaced, homes destroyed, and the city’s infrastructure severely impacted. While flooding is not new to this region, the sheer scale and destruction caused by this recent disaster have forced both residents and authorities to reckon with the root causes of the tragedy.
The primary catalyst for the flood in Maiduguri is the collapse of the 40-year-old Alau Dam, located approximately 10 kilometers away from the city. This dam was originally constructed to protect Maiduguri from seasonal flooding along the Ngadda River basin. However, years of negligence and poor maintenance have left it vulnerable. The dam suffered structural damage during periods of high seasonal rainfall in 1992, 1994, and 2012, but despite these warnings, the necessary repairs and reinforcements were never made.
Since last week, local authorities, including the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijjani, attempted to reassure the public that the situation was under control. The government even led delegations to assess the dam and promised that measures would be taken to prevent a disaster. But despite these assurances, the dam’s collapse and the overflow of water from Alau Dam surged into Maiduguri starting Monday evening. This failure to adequately address the dam’s vulnerabilities has intensified the human and material toll of the flooding.
This disaster is not simply a result of unprecedented rainfall or climate change; it’s also a direct consequence of human error. Poor management, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and years of neglect led to the catastrophic collapse of the dam, triggering an event that has now spiraled into a humanitarian crisis.
The affected areas include major sections of Maiduguri like Shehuri, parts of the Government Residential Area (G.R.A.), Gambomi, Budum, Bulabulin, Adamkolo, Millionaires Quarters, Monday Market, and Gwange. The floodwaters have swallowed homes, businesses, and roads, making transportation and communication nearly impossible for thousands of residents. Families have been displaced en masse, with many now seeking refuge in makeshift shelters.
In response, the Nigerian government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), alongside the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, has initiated emergency relief efforts. According to NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, evacuation efforts began as early as Monday, and teams have been deployed to provide food, shelter, and medical assistance to those affected. Temporary camps, including Bakassi Camp, have been opened to accommodate those displaced by the flood. Despite these ongoing efforts, the needs are overwhelming, and there are growing concerns about how long it will take before the floodwaters recede and residents can begin the long journey of recovery.
The consequences of the flood go beyond the immediate destruction of homes and infrastructure. The disaster has also caused massive disruptions to local livelihoods. Many of Maiduguri’s residents rely on agriculture and small-scale businesses for their income, and the destruction of farmlands and marketplaces is likely to have a lasting impact on the local economy. Farmers who depend on seasonal crops may see their entire year’s harvest wiped out, while shop owners in areas like Monday Market may face insurmountable losses as their inventories are destroyed by floodwaters.
The damage to infrastructure is equally critical. Roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals have been inundated, further complicating the already challenging task of delivering aid to those in need. Emergency responders are struggling to navigate flood-hit areas, and the destruction of communication networks has left many parts of the city cut off from timely assistance. This collapse in infrastructure will have lasting effects, hindering Maiduguri’s recovery and leaving the city vulnerable to future disasters.
Health risks are also escalating. Flooding often leads to outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, especially in areas where sanitation and clean drinking water are already scarce. The presence of stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising the likelihood of malaria outbreaks. The displaced residents living in overcrowded camps are particularly vulnerable to these health risks. Ensuring access to clean water and basic healthcare is paramount in preventing a secondary health crisis.
This flood exposes the dangerous intersection between natural disasters and poor governance. While climate change undeniably plays a role in the increasing frequency of such disasters, the failure to maintain critical infrastructure like the Alau Dam points to a deeper problem. Nigeria’s infrastructural deficits, combined with lax governmental oversight, have allowed a preventable disaster to unfold on this scale. The dam had long been a lifeline for the city, controlling water flow during heavy rains, but without the necessary upkeep, it became a ticking time bomb.
The lessons from this disaster should be a wake-up call for policymakers. It’s clear that without a commitment to maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, future floods could be even more devastating. Investments in flood defenses, such as improving dam infrastructure, building stronger drainage systems, and restoring wetlands, could significantly mitigate the risks. There must be a shift toward better disaster preparedness, including stronger early warning systems and coordinated response plans that engage both government agencies and local communities.
Equally important is the need for greater accountability in managing public works. The collapse of the Alau Dam is a result of systemic neglect, and future disasters can only be averted through stricter oversight and transparent management of infrastructure projects. Local and state governments need to prioritize routine inspections and maintenance of critical infrastructure to ensure that incidents like this do not occur again.
Beyond immediate disaster management, Nigeria must also take broader steps to combat the underlying factors exacerbating the flooding crisis, particularly climate change. As global temperatures rise, the Sahelian region, where Borno State is located, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Rising sea levels, erratic rainfall, and prolonged droughts are part of a broader trend of climate instability. While mitigating the impacts of climate change will require global cooperation, Nigeria must focus on building resilience within its borders by integrating climate adaptation strategies into its national development plans.
The flooding in Maiduguri is a tragic reminder of the consequences of neglect, poor management, and the growing threat of climate change. While efforts are underway to assist affected communities, the broader lesson is clear: Nigeria cannot afford to ignore the upkeep of critical infrastructure, nor can it delay in building resilience against future disasters. The people of Maiduguri are resilient, but without concerted action to address both immediate needs and long-term vulnerabilities, they and many others across Nigeria will continue to face the devastating impacts of floods and other climate-related disasters. The time to act is now, before the next dam collapses, and the next flood claims more lives and livelihoods.
Our prayers are with the people of Maiduguri.
Stephanie Shaakaa
University of Agriculture,
Makurdi
Benue state.
