Expert advocates disaster justice to mitigate perennial flooding in Nigeria

As Nigeria grapples with the adverse impacts of this year’s floods—over 600,000 damaged houses, over 171,000 people displaced, and losses in several billions of Naira—and braces for the upcoming rainy season in 2024 and the inevitable flood events it brings, Christopher Ihinegbu, an expert in disaster risk management, sheds light on strategies to address the country’s longstanding flooding challenges.

With a history of devastating flood events, including the catastrophic 2012 flood that affected 32 states, Ihinegbu underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of flooding.

Drawing from his research at the University of California, Irvine, United States, Ihinegbu introduces a novel approach to addressing Nigeria’s flood preparedness: disaster justice.

He argued that Nigeria’s flooding woes stem from unjust risk creation and governance, emphasising the importance of incorporating distributional and procedural justice considerations into disaster management practices.

Ihinegbu’s disaster justice framework offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing Nigeria’s flood resilience. Firstly, he advocates for the establishment of inclusion and diversity teams within agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure that early warning messages (EWMs) reach all segments of the population.

Secondly, he calls for the deployment of disaster extension workers to rural areas, where access to information and resources is often limited.

These workers would play a vital role in disseminating EWMs and providing support to vulnerable communities. Lastly, Ihinegbu highlights the importance of flood insurance as a tool to alleviate the financial burden associated with flood damages.

By championing the principles of disaster justice, Ihinegbu aims to create a more equitable and resilient society where all Nigerians have access to the resources and support needed to withstand the impacts of flooding.
Christopher Ihinegbu’s expertise in disaster risk management goes beyond Nigeria. Through his research role at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Ihinegbu focuses on mitigating flood, wildfire, and mudslide risks in Southern California. Through his global perspective and expertise spanning years of research in Nigeria, Germany, and the United States, Ihinegbu emphasised the need for equity in disaster anticipation and response.