By Amos Atumye Alao

The Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (SLAN) deeply mourns the tragic loss of over 200 lives following the catastrophic floods that struck Mokwa, Niger State, on May 28, 2025. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, the survivors, and the communities struggling to rebuild in the aftermath of this unprecedented disaster.

This is not just a local tragedy; it is a national wake-up call.

The Mokwa flood, described as the worst in over 60 years, submerged homes, destroyed vital infrastructure including the Maokwa bridge, and swept away hundreds of lives into the River Niger. Entire districts like Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa were devastated, and the economic loss is still being assessed.

While engineering solutions such as dams and drainage systems are essential and often faster to implement, they are not enough on their own. They can fail under pressure, as we have seen. What Nigeria urgently needs is a long-term commitment to green infrastructure and landscape-based solutions that build resilience into our cities and towns.

Green infrastructure refers to natural systems that provide environmental services, wetlands, vegetated swales, urban forests, rain gardens, and permeable surfaces. These landscape-based interventions help manage stormwater, reduce flood risks, improve air quality, and enhance biodiversity. Unlike concrete solutions that may wear out or collapse under extreme pressure, green infrastructure evolves and strengthens over time, if protected by policy and supported by all stakeholders.

The devastating impact of the Mokwa flood highlights the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to urban and rural development. Landscape architects must work alongside engineers, urban planners, environmental scientists, policymakers, and local communities to ensure that development is safe, sustainable, and flood-resilient.

SLAN proposes the following landscape strategies as part of a national response: creation of riparian buffers to absorb overflow and reduce erosion, urban afforestation and reforestation to slow surface runoff, wetland restoration to act as natural sponges during heavy rains, permeable paving systems that allow rainwater to infiltrate the ground, rain gardens and bioswales for urban water capture, and floodplain zoning to prevent construction in high-risk zones.

Every professional has a role to play. While engineers can provide quick relief through physical structures, landscape architects offer solutions that address the root causes and provide long-term sustainability. However, these solutions take time to grow, adapt, and become effective. They also require strong policies that protect green spaces from encroachment and neglect.

We urge federal, state, and local governments to prioritize green infrastructure in all development plans, fund and implement nature-based solutions, engage landscape architects from project inception, develop long-term strategies for flood resilience, and educate communities about the value of natural flood buffers.

The earlier we start investing in green infrastructure, the better prepared we will be for the future. Let Mokwa be the last warning we ignore.

About the SLAN President

Amos Atumye Alao is the President of the Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (SLAN). SLAN is a professional body committed to promoting sustainable landscapes across Nigeria. We are actively pursuing an Act of Parliament to formalize our role in national development. Our goal is to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s built and natural environment.