KEY POINTS
- FG to disburse ₦6.3 billion to flood victims.
- Each beneficiary to receive ₦300,000 interest-free loan.
- NEMA launches new disaster risk reduction frameworks.
The Federal Government plans to distribute ₦6.3 billion in interest-free loans to 21,000 Nigerians affected by recent floods nationwide.
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Yusuf Sununu, disclosed this in Abuja during an event marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
He said the initiative would help flood-hit communities recover and strengthen food security. “In the next few weeks, 21,000 Nigerians will receive interest-free, collateral-free loans of ₦300,000 each,” Sununu said, adding that the intervention targets farmers and households devastated by flooding.
Interest-free loans aim to rebuild livelihoods
Sununu revealed that the government has supported over 8.1 million households with ₦300 billion in Conditional Cash Transfers under the National Social Investment Programme.
“This support has improved resilience, health, and education for vulnerable households. The process will also continue under the Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” he said.
He also announced a new empowerment plan for internally displaced persons (IDPs) under which the Federal Ministry of Agriculture will off-take 70 percent of their produce, leaving 30 percent for the participants. “This ensures a guaranteed market and direct cash payments,” he explained.
NEMA unveils disaster risk reduction strategy
Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, further stressed the need for proactive measures to tackle climate-related disasters. She noted that Nigeria faces growing risks from floods, conflicts, pandemics, and technological hazards.
Umar announced the rollout of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025–2030) and the NEMA Strategic Plan (2025–2029) to guide future preparedness efforts. “These frameworks promote innovation in financing, institutional collaboration, and risk-informed development,” she further said.
She added that NEMA is developing a National Risk Monitoring and Information Platform to enhance early warnings and data-driven response mechanisms. Umar also called for innovative financing models such as catastrophe bonds and climate funds to sustain recovery efforts.
Furthermore, the event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and international partners.
According to NEMA’s 2025 Flood Dashboard, at least 238 people have died, 135,764 displaced, and 409,714 affected by flooding across the country as of October 10, 2025.
