Abuja: The Federal Government has adopted a National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP) aimed at addressing the growing threat of flood-related disasters across the country. The initiative was announced during the Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) on the Development of the National Flood Insurance Policy and Implementation Framework.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Mahmud Kambari, stated that the policy would help reduce the financial burden on both federal and state governments, which currently allocate substantial resources to emergency relief and post-disaster reconstruction. Represented by Mr. Kunle Awojemila, Deputy Director in the Department of Flood Erosion Control and Coastal Management, Kambari emphasized that the NFIP is a proactive response to the increasing frequency and severity of flooding in Nigeria.
Kambari highlighted the importance of moving from reactive responses to proactive and sustainable flood risk management. He pointed out that the establishment of a National Flood Insurance Programme, as outlined in Section Four of the National Erosion and Flood Control Policy (NEFCOP), is central to this strategy. The NFIP aims to serve as a financial safety net for individuals, businesses, and communities, enabling swift recovery from flood-induced losses and ensuring long-term resilience.
The technical committee will define clear timelines, assign responsibilities, and develop monitoring mechanisms to ensure the policy’s effective implementation. Mrs. Rukayat El Rufai, Special Adviser to the President on National Economic Council and Climate Change, also emphasized the need to prioritize flood insurance to secure a more resilient future for Nigerians. Represented by Mrs. Inna Audu, Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs, El Rufai noted that many communities along the River Benue, River Niger, and their tributaries are primarily agrarian and suffer devastating losses due to seasonal flooding.
El Rufai stressed that insurance is a preparedness mechanism and an anticipated action, requiring contributions in advance to create a fund for emergencies. She lamented the enormous economic and human toll of recurring floods in Nigeria, highlighting the trillions of naira lost to flooding in recent years. El Rufai advocated for standalone flood insurance policies, which she said offer clearer and more comprehensive protection, promote better risk management, and support disaster recovery efforts.
Earlier, Mr. Usman Bokani, Director of the Erosion and Coastal Zone Management Department, shared that the national framework would guide the implementation of a robust and inclusive flood insurance system. Represented by Mr. Abdullahi Atta, Assistant Director, Coastal Zone Management, Bokani explained that the policy aims to protect vulnerable populations, support rapid post-flood recovery, and enhance national resilience. The exploration of models for financing, risk pooling, regulatory alignment, and delivery mechanisms at the community level will be part of the policy’s development.