The catastrophic flooding that struck Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) in Niger State on May 29, 2025, serves as a tragic example of what can happen when river management is neglected. With over 200 people reported dead, more than 3,000 displaced, and critical infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and farmlands destroyed, the incident has reignited urgent national discussions on flood control strategies and sustainable waterway management.
In response to the disaster, the Nigerian Senate called for the immediate dredging of the River Niger, identifying it as a crucial step toward reducing the risk of future floods. This article explores how timely and ecological dredging could have mitigated the Mokwa flood and why a proactive approach to river management is essential for building resilience against climate-induced disasters.
Understanding the Role of Dredging in Flood Prevention
Dredging is a key river management practice that involves removing accumulated sediments, silt, debris, and vegetation from riverbeds and channels. Over time, these materials reduce a river’s depth and capacity to carry water, increasing the likelihood of overflow during heavy rains. By clearing sediment and widening river channels, dredging restores natural water flow and enhances the river’s ability to contain large volumes of runoff.
When properly executed, dredging not only prevents flooding but also contributes to improved navigation, better water quality, and healthier aquatic ecosystems. However, not all dredging is created equal—there’s growing global recognition of the importance of ecological dredging, a technique that balances flood control with environmental protection.
The River Niger and Its Vulnerabilities
The River Niger, which runs through several Nigerian states, including Niger State, plays a central role in agriculture, transportation, and hydropower. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly clogged with sediment, waste, and vegetation due to upstream erosion, deforestation, and poor land-use practices. This sedimentation drastically reduces the river’s flow capacity, especially during Nigeria’s intense rainy seasons.
In Mokwa, where the River Niger is a lifeline for surrounding communities, the lack of timely maintenance—including dredging—meant that floodwaters had nowhere to go when torrential rains struck. As the river swelled beyond its banks, entire communities were submerged, lives lost, and livelihoods destroyed. Experts and local authorities believe that if the river had been dredged ahead of the rainy season, much of the devastation could have been avoided.
Why Ecological Dredging Matters
In the rush to address flooding, some dredging projects can inadvertently harm the very environments they aim to protect. That’s why ecological dredging is gaining importance. This approach ensures that sediment removal is done selectively and sensitively, preserving biodiversity, maintaining water quality, and avoiding the release of harmful substances trapped in sediments.
Key features of ecological dredging include:
- Minimal disruption to aquatic habitats
- Use of natural materials for riverbank reinforcement
- Safe disposal or reuse of dredged materials
- Monitoring of downstream effects and sediment resuspension
In flood-prone areas like Mokwa, ecological dredging offers a sustainable, long-term solution that not only reduces disaster risk but also supports environmental health. By integrating this approach into Nigeria’s river management policies, authorities can address both flood control and ecological preservation.
Early Warnings and Missed Opportunities
One of the most concerning aspects of the Mokwa flood disaster is that it was entirely foreseeable. Senator Peter Jiya, who represents Niger South, stated that he had written to the Ecological Fund Office in 2023, warning of imminent flooding in Mokwa and Kutigi. Furthermore, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had issued early alerts before the floods occurred.
Despite these warnings, no preventive action—such as dredging the River Niger—was taken. This failure underscores a systemic lack of coordination and accountability among key agencies tasked with environmental protection and disaster preparedness.
Had ecological dredging been undertaken when concerns were first raised, the river would have had greater capacity to accommodate runoff from heavy rains. This would have reduced pressure on surrounding communities and mitigated the disaster’s impact.
Proactive River Management: A National Imperative
Floods in Nigeria are not new, but they are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, deforestation, and urban encroachment on waterways. To adapt to this new reality, Nigeria must adopt a proactive river management strategy that goes beyond emergency response to focus on long-term resilience.
Key recommendations include:
- Institutionalizing periodic ecological dredging of major rivers like the Niger and Benue
- Investing in flood modeling and hydrological data to guide dredging schedules and locations
- Engaging local communities in river monitoring and conservation efforts
- Creating inter-agency frameworks to ensure rapid response to flood warnings
- Securing adequate funding through the Ecological Fund for ongoing river maintenance
Only through these measures can Nigeria hope to break the cycle of disaster and response, moving instead toward prevention and preparedness.
A Call to Action
The flood that ravaged Mokwa is not just a local tragedy—it’s a national wake-up call. It reveals the urgent need for sustainable, science-based solutions to one of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges. Dredging, when done proactively and ecologically, is one of the most effective tools available.
Moving forward, policymakers must prioritize river health as part of national infrastructure planning. Implementing ecological dredging programs across flood-prone regions will protect both people and ecosystems, making communities more resilient in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.
The devastation in Mokwa could have been avoided. Let it serve as a lesson—and a turning point—for smarter, greener, and more accountable river management in Nigeria.