Nigeria's NEC approves N83.2 billion flood mitigation fund

The National Economic Council has approved 83.2 billion naira for proactive flood mitigation and disaster preparedness across Nigeria, marking a significant shift from the country's traditional reactive response model. The approval was granted at the council's 158th meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The funding, representing 50 percent of a 166.42 billion naira proposal, was allocated to the Anticipatory Action Task Force. Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, briefing journalists after the meeting, described the move as a first-of-its-kind national effort to take preventive steps ahead of the rainy season. He stated that the council recognized the need to move from a reactive to a preventive approach in tackling recurring natural disasters. The initial proposal sought to disburse funds through the Federation Account Allocation Committee mechanism to designated implementing agencies.

Governor Otu explained that the council balanced the urgency of early intervention with available resources, approving half the requested amount to begin immediate deployment of measures such as early warning systems...