By Emmanuel Okogba

The Presidency has called on Nigerians to actively embrace climate education and environmental responsibility as part of efforts to reduce the impact of flooding across the country.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Comrade Yussuf Olatunji Kelani, the government described recent flooding incidents in Lagos and other parts of the country as a national wake-up call that demands urgent action.

The statement read in part: “As the rains continue to intensify across Nigeria, the recent flooding that has affected Lagos and several other parts of the country should serve as a national wake-up call. While the immediate images of submerged roads, stranded commuters, damaged homes, and disrupted businesses dominate headlines, the deeper message is that climate change is no longer a distant environmental concern. It is a present-day national development challenge demanding urgent, coordinated, and sustained action.”

Kelani noted that changing rainfall patterns due to climate change have increased the frequency and intensity of heavy downpours, overwhelming drainage systems and exposing many communities to flood risks.

He stressed that flooding is not limited to Lagos alone, as communities in North Central, South South, South East, and other parts of the country also face annual threats.

The Presidency urged citizens to play their part by clearing drainages around their homes, avoiding waste disposal in waterways, participating in sanitation exercises, and heeding weather warnings.

“Flood Prevention Begins with Every Citizen… Climate resilience begins with environmental responsibility.”

The statement also highlighted the need for greater investment in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, sustainable urban planning, and nature-based solutions. It reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen climate action and adaptation measures.

Comrade Kelani called for collective responsibility from all levels of government, communities, and individuals to build a more climate-resilient Nigeria.

The full statement concluded with a national appeal: “The recent floods should not simply become another news cycle that fades with time. They should become a turning point where Nigerians collectively embrace environmental responsibility… Together, through preparedness, responsible environmental stewardship, and sustained collaboration, we can reduce the devastating impact of flooding and build a Nigeria that is not only prepared for climate change but resilient enough to thrive despite it.”