Nigeria’s National Economic Council on Thursday approved N83.21 billion ($54 million) for the implementation of an Anticipatory Action Task Force aimed at mitigating the impact of flooding and other climate-related disasters across the country.
The approval was granted during the council’s 158th meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cross River State Gov. Bassey Otu said the council approved half of the N166.42 billion initially requested by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
According to Otu, the funds will support proactive interventions designed to reduce the effects of anticipated flooding and other climate-related emergencies.
“We know that flooding is now almost a recurring issue, and the Federal Government is taking steps to ensure mitigation measures are put in place early enough to protect affected states,” Otu said.
He noted that states historically vulnerable to flooding were a major focus of discussions and said the council agreed to review the funding framework at future meetings.
“Council approved the sum of N83.21 billion, representing 50% of the proposed budget for the Anticipatory Action Task Force, with plans to review the framework as part of broader measures to tackle flooding and related disasters,” he said.
Explaining the reduction in the requested funding, Otu said the council opted for a phased approach based on available resources.
“This is the first time as a nation that we are taking proactive steps. Most times, we wait until floods have caused damage before acting,” he said. “This is a work in progress, and additional provisions can be made as the situation is assessed.”
Plateau State Gov. Caleb Mutfwang said the approved funding represented an initial intervention that would complement longer-term measures, including the construction of reservoirs to address flooding worsened by periodic releases of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam.
He said the proactive approach would help reduce losses of lives and property often associated with seasonal flooding.
Meanwhile, Kano State Gov. Abba Yusuf said the council also considered a presentation by the Minister of Regional Development on a proposed National Regional Development Policy covering 2026 to 2030.
According to Yusuf, the policy seeks to address regional disparities, improve coordination of development initiatives and align regional planning with Nigeria’s Medium-Term National Development Plan.
The council directed the minister to share the proposal with state governors for further review and consultation through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum before implementation.
In a separate presentation, Osun State Gov. Ademola Adeleke said the council discussed measures to improve Nigeria’s agro-export sector by strengthening compliance with international ship and port security standards and addressing export bottlenecks.
Adeleke said the council was informed that crude oil accounts for about 80% of Nigeria’s export revenue, while an estimated $50 billion in annual agro-export potential remains untapped.
The council resolved to prioritize compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, assume responsibility for funding related infrastructure and support the establishment of a national agro-export board to strengthen the country’s export value chain.
It also directed the Nigerian Agro Export Setup Committee to engage relevant ministries and agencies to refine the proposal for further consideration.
