Building capabilities for flood disaster and hazard preparedness and risk reduction in Nigeria: need for spatial planning and land management

This report examines the level of preparedness and capacity building to tackle urban flooding in Nigerian cities. Firstly, the incidences of urban flood hazards, causes and impacts were examined; secondly, the role of urbanization as large creator of flood risk for much of the urban population was analysed. Thirdly, discussion was about the vulnerability, preparedness and coping strategies of the people to these hazards. Finally, an examination of the role of spatial planning, sustainable drainage systems and land use management in building capacities to tackle flood hazards was carried out.

The report concludes by stressing that lack of proper spatial planning and land use management coupled with incapacity of governments to ensure good urban governance exacerbate the cases of urban flood in Nigeria. A GIS-based spatial planning and land use management can be a versatile tool in building capacities for flood disaster reduction and preparedness to ensure sustainable urban development.