The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), in partnership with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has emphasised the importance of converting flood forecasts into actionable community knowledge to enhance disaster readiness and safeguard livelihoods throughout Nigeria.
Need for Practical Flood Knowledge
The organisations highlighted that improving public awareness of flood risks is essential not only for disaster preparedness but also for protecting agriculture, rural livelihoods, and food security in the country. In a statement announcing a nationwide dissemination, training, and sensitisation programme on the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), HEDA noted that farmers are among the groups most severely affected by annual flooding. According to the organisation, repeated losses to farmlands, fisheries, livestock, storage facilities, and transportation routes continue to significantly contribute to food insecurity and economic hardship.
Virtual Sensitisation Programme
The sensitisation programme, scheduled to take place virtually tomorrow and Wednesday, aims to strengthen public understanding of flood risks, improve preparedness, and support early action across vulnerable communities in Nigeria. The two-day virtual event will bring together participants from all six geopolitical zones, including farmers, agricultural cooperatives, community leaders, media professionals, civil society organisations, researchers, humanitarian actors, and officials from Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Water Resources, and Emergency Management Agencies.
Simplifying Flood Forecasts
HEDA stated that this initiative is part of ongoing efforts to simplify and disseminate flood forecast information in practical, accessible ways that benefit communities affected by recurring floods and climate-related disasters. The programme is designed to help participants understand flood-prone areas, potential impacts in their regions, and practical preparedness measures that can reduce losses before and during the rainy season.
Executive Secretary's Remarks
HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Mr Sulaimon Arigbabu, noted that many communities still do not receive flood prediction information in formats they can understand or act upon. “Every year, flood predictions are released, but many communities still do not receive the information in ways they can understand or act upon. This programme is about simplifying the Annual Flood Outlook and ensuring that farmers, local institutions, media organisations, and communities are better prepared ahead of the peak rainfall period,” he said.
Multilingual Delivery
The organisation added that the sessions will be delivered in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Pidgin, and English to ensure wider participation and understanding across the country. HEDA also called on media organisations, particularly radio stations and community broadcasters, to actively participate in the programme. According to the organisation, the media plays a crucial role in translating and disseminating flood information to rural communities with limited access to digital platforms and official reports. The organisation maintained that journalists, broadcasters, and media practitioners must thoroughly understand the Annual Flood Outlook to communicate flood risks responsibly, accurately, and consistently before disasters occur.
Programme Coverage
The programme will cover areas including interpretation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook, flood risk communication, early warning dissemination, protection of farmlands and livelihoods, community preparedness measures, and coordinated response planning at community and institutional levels. HEDA further urged state Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Water Resources, Emergency Management Agencies, local governments, civil society groups, and community-based organisations to support wider dissemination of the flood outlook within their communities.
