By Esohe Aifuwa
Flood Relief: FG Offers ₦6.3bn Loan to 21,000 Nigerians
In a bid to cushion the devastating effects of flooding across Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced a ₦6.3 billion interest-free loan package for 21,000 affected citizens.
The initiative, aimed at bolstering recovery and food security, was unveiled during a roundtable event in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The event, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, lawmakers, and international partners, highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by natural disasters.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sanunu, explained that each beneficiary would receive a ₦300,000 collateral-free loan to support farming efforts and mitigate the impact of floods on livelihoods.
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Sanunu also revealed that the government has disbursed over ₦300 billion to 8.1 million households through the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme, enhancing access to education, health, and economic opportunities. “These efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s Hope Agenda to strengthen community resilience,” he said.
To further support displaced persons, the minister outlined a program in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to address food security. Under the scheme, internally displaced persons (IDPs) will retain 30% of their farm produce, while the government will purchase the remaining 70%, providing cash payments to participants.
Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), emphasized the growing threat of climate-driven disasters, conflicts, and technological risks. She called for a shift from reactive disaster management to proactive, well-funded strategies. Umar announced the launch of NEMA’s 2025–2029 Strategy Plan and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030), which focus on risk-informed development and innovative financing models like catastrophe bonds and climate funds.
NEMA is also developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to enhance early warning systems and guide risk-informed investments across sectors like agriculture, health, and infrastructure.
“Resilience must be embedded in all aspects of national planning,” Umar stressed, advocating for stronger collaboration to build a disaster-ready Nigeria.
