Nigeria’s deadly floods claims the lives of 600 blamed on lack of infrastructure

3 min read
18 October 2022 | 10:00 am CAT

Northeastern Nigeria is seeing some of its worst floodings in years, with reports suggesting that about 600 people were killed and thousands of homes destroyed.

The flooding has worsened by seasonal rain that began earlier than usual and the planned water release from a dam in neighbouring Cameroon.

Photo credit: PreventionWeb

Speaking to Radio Islam International, renewable energy expert in Nigeria, David Arinze, says the flooding is due to infrastructure that was supposed to be in place but is not.

“It is not just a lack of water management; what we have is the need to ensure that relevant infrastructure that needs to be in place is in place and this is basically what the challenge is,” says Arinze.

According to Nigeria’s humanitarian affairs ministries statement, more than 1.3 million people have been displaced by the disaster, affecting people across 33 of Nigeria’s 36 states.

Arize states that even though other measures could have prevented the flooding, lack of infrastructure played a major role in flooding.

“A number of things that the government already has in the works [are] – one of them is to build relevant dams, not just one dam that can cushion this effect, and another thing is to also ensure that there is prompt a margin of those living in those regions prone to flooding to ensure that they can manage,” he says.

However, he says the government could do more to prevent the loss of homes, commodities and valuables.

“We can say that the government is already taking steps,” says Arinze.

Listen to the full interview with David Arinze here:

Media junkets raise outcry: Activists question integrity of South African journalism

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read 20 August 2025 | 14:24 CAT As the war on Gaza rages, questions are being raised closer to home about the independence of South African journalism. Veteran activist and journalist Hassan Lorgat has lodged a formal...

Ghost Teachers, bribery and broken trust: Education posts probe launched across 22 000 schools

20 August 2025 | 12:30 CAT 2-minute read The South African education system is once again under the microscope, as allegations of widespread corruption in the hiring of teachers threaten to undermine the very foundation of fairness in public schools. The Education...

Reset The GNU!

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 19 August 2025 1-minute read Following Rise Mzansi’s media briefing one year after the formation of the GNU, the party says that the Government of National Unity needs an urgent reset, calling for shared obligation and...

The Media Lens

20 August 2025 | 08:05 CAT 3-minute read Pakistan Floods Islamabad — Recent cloudbursts—defined as over 100 mm of rainfall within an hour—have triggered flash floods and landslides throughout Pakistan’s mountainous north, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of...

Protests mount as Netanyahu faces global isolation over Gaza war

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read | 19 August 2025 | 14:45 CAT Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets in a rare nationwide shutdown, demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza and calling for an end to the war. While anger is...

The Africa Report

19 August 2025 | 13:21 CAT 2-minute read Kinshasa & Goma: Diplomatic Discord Amid Conflict DR Congo has formally rejected Kenya’s nomination of a Consul General to the eastern city of Goma, held since January by the M23 rebel group. Kinshasa denounced the move as...