The Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) has called for stronger urban planning, improved drainage management and sustained flood-prevention measures in Abuja following the widespread flooding recorded across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The organisation urged the FCT Administration to intensify drainage maintenance, protect waterways and drainage corridors, enforce planning regulations and strengthen flood-risk mapping and early-warning systems to minimise the impact of flooding on residents and businesses.
According to an official statement signed by the Director, The Electoral Hub, Princess Abijah Hamman-Obels, the heavy rainfall of Saturday, August 15, 2026, triggered flash flooding across several parts of Abuja, leaving residents and motorists stranded and disrupting movement.
The statement said flooding was reported around Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse II, Gudu, Efab Estate in Lokogoma, Gaduwa, Durumi and Galadimawa, as well as Katampe, Mabushi, Lugbe, Gwarinpa, Asokoro, Utako, Wuye, Maitama and Ebeano-Gaduwa, among other areas.
IRIAD said vehicles were submerged or damaged, businesses were temporarily disrupted and several roads and connecting routes became difficult or impossible to navigate.
The organisation noted that the flooding occurred despite earlier warnings, stating that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), on July 30, 2026, identified the FCT among areas at high risk of flooding following rising water levels on the Gurara River.
It added that the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) had also warned that flood-prone communities remained vulnerable during the peak of the rainy season.
IRIAD cautioned against the circulation of unverified figures regarding the number of people affected by the August 15 flooding, noting that no verified official figure for the total number of affected persons or households had been publicly established.
It, however, said the effects were evident in damaged vehicles and property, disrupted transportation, temporary closure of businesses, restricted access between communities and increased risks to lives and livelihoods.
The organisation said the repeated flooding of particular locations should serve as a planning and preparedness signal for government authorities, stressing that communities with a history of flooding require regular risk assessments and preventive interventions before rainfall intensifies.
It called for regular drainage clearing and desilting, increased drainage capacity, protection of waterways, flood-risk mapping, effective early-warning systems and stronger community preparedness.
According to IRIAD, flooding may be a natural hazard, but the scale of its impact is significantly influenced by human activities and government decisions, particularly in areas of drainage capacity, waste disposal, land-use planning, infrastructure maintenance and enforcement of development regulations.
The organisation raised concerns over reports of blocked manholes and underground drainage channels containing silt, solid waste and debris, which it said restricted the flow of stormwater and underscored the need for preventive maintenance.
“Flood management cannot begin when the water has already risen. Prevention must come first,” IRIAD stated.
The organisation urged the FCT Administration to publish clear information on identified flood-prone areas, emergency shelters, evacuation routes, drainage interventions and response mechanisms to enable residents make informed decisions.
It also called on the Minister of the FCT to prioritise long-term flood resilience alongside immediate emergency response by ensuring that drainage systems remain functional, waterways are unobstructed and planning regulations are effectively enforced.
IRIAD further urged the Federal Ministry of Environment to strengthen coordination with the FCT Administration, FEMA, FEMD, NEMA, NiHSA and other relevant institutions, noting that flood management required an integrated approach involving climate resilience, waste management, land-use planning, erosion control, drainage management and protection of natural waterways.
Community heads and traditional leaders were urged to support public sensitisation, encourage responsible waste disposal, identify vulnerable households and communicate early-warning information.
The organisation also tasked estate leadership, residents’ associations and property managers with regularly inspecting and maintaining drainage systems, discouraging unauthorised alterations and encroachments on waterways, and establishing basic emergency communication and evacuation arrangements.
Businesses and property owners were similarly advised to keep their premises, access roads and adjoining drainage channels free of waste and obstruction and to develop basic emergency plans where they operate in flood-prone areas.
IRIAD called on Abuja residents to avoid dumping refuse into drains, waterways and flood channels and cautioned them against attempting to drive or walk through fast-flowing or flooded roads.
Residents were also advised to move to higher ground when evacuation warnings were issued, avoid using floodwater for drinking or domestic purposes, report blocked drains and dangerous waterways promptly and check on vulnerable neighbours.
The organisation urged residents to rely on verified information from FEMD, FEMA, NEMA, NiHSA and other relevant authorities, noting that FEMD had advised residents to remain alert and report emergencies through the 112 toll-free emergency number.
IRIAD welcomed NEMA’s activation of a National Emergency Operations Centre for the 2026 flood response but stressed that Abuja must move beyond emergency response towards prevention, preparedness and risk reduction.
It called for regular drainage maintenance, protection of waterways, enforcement of planning regulations, responsible waste disposal, effective early-warning systems, flood-risk mapping and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.
The organisation also highlighted the need for adequate resources and support for communities affected by flooding, including safe shelter, clean water, food, medicines, sanitation supplies and emergency assistance.
It said relief and recovery efforts should prioritise children, older persons, persons with disabilities, low-income households and other vulnerable groups.
IRIAD reaffirmed its commitment to public sensitisation and advocacy on flood prevention, environmental responsibility and accountable urban governance, saying it would continue to advocate stronger enforcement of environmental and urban planning regulations.
It also pledged to promote collaboration among government agencies, communities, civil society organisations, environmental groups and emergency-response institutions to address the root causes of recurring flooding.
The organisation said preventing and reducing the impact of flooding in Abuja was a shared responsibility, stressing the need for government, communities, businesses, civil society and residents to work together to build a safer and more climate-resilient FCT.
