Federal Government flood resilience plan aims to empower flood-prone communities to manage their safety and reduce disaster risks, says Shettima

Federal Government flood resilience measures will soon take a new shape, as the administration considers empowering flood-prone communities to manage their own safety in a bid to curb the growing impact of flood-related disasters across Nigeria.

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Vice-President Kashim Shettima disclosed this during the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) held in Abuja on Monday.

He emphasised that no amount of preparedness would yield tangible results if local communities are not equipped to take charge of their own safety.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, the Federal Government flood resilience initiative reflects a broader shift from reactive responses to proactive prevention.

Shettima explained that true resilience is not built by government alone but through the collective efforts of communities, businesses, academia, and civil society.

“Resilience is reflected in how our cities are planned, how businesses protect workers, and how communities share information and look out for each other,” he said.

He called for stronger partnerships across sectors, urging the private sector to embed risk reduction into investment decisions and the academic community to provide innovation and data-driven research to guide government action.

“But none of these efforts will yield results unless we empower and support our communities to take ownership of their safety,” Shettima stressed. “They are the foundation of whatever strategy we adopt and the heartbeat of our national resilience.”

The Vice-President praised the IDDRR 2025 theme, “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,” describing it as a powerful reminder that proactive investment in disaster prevention saves lives and reduces future costs.

“Every naira we spend today on preparedness saves many more tomorrow on response and recovery,” he noted. “Every investment in resilience is, in truth, an investment in the lives and futures of our people.”

Shettima identified priority areas for investment, including building drainage systems instead of relief camps, constructing stronger schools and hospitals, supporting farmers with climate-smart tools, and training first responders before emergencies strike.

He said the Tinubu administration is integrating disaster risk reduction into all sectors — from agriculture and infrastructure to education and health — while strengthening early warning systems and local emergency management agencies.

A National Disaster Risk Financing Framework, he added, is being developed to ensure sustainable funding for disaster prevention and preparedness.

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The 2025 IDDRR, marked every 13 October, serves as a global reminder for nations and citizens to build more resilient communities and take proactive measures against natural and human-induced disasters.