Re-thinking the legal framework for flood management in Nigeria in light of climate change and sustainable development goals (SDGs)

Abstract

In recent times science and politics appear to have accepted not only the reality of climate change but of its debilitating impact like rise in sea level, rise in temperature and extreme weather patterns which have brought in its wake increased and intense cases of flooding. Between 1980 and 2016, total direct damages exceeded $1.6 trillion, and at least 225,000 people lost their lives with attendant economic losses globally including Nigeria. The paper finds that the overall impact of flooding include outbreak of diseases, death, loss of economic assets, hunger, pollution, migration, all of which threaten the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals of eliminating poverty and ensuring good health and gender equality. The paper also finds that regulation could be employed to achieve effective low-cost solutions for the management of flooding in Nigeria. The challenge however is that Nigeria being a country with one of the highest degrees of vulnerability in flood risks and rapid population growth has weak legal framework. Drawing from the international best practices, the paper makes some salient recommendations towards effective legal framework for flood management.