The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has refuted claims that the devastating flood which occurred in Mokwa, Niger State, on May 29, 2025, was caused by the release of water from the Kainji or Jebba dams.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing on Tuesday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, Prof. Utsev assured the public that both dams remain structurally sound and fully operational. He dismissed widespread speculation linking the flooding to dam operations, emphasizing that the incident was not connected to any release of water from either facility.
“The flood was primarily due to heavy rainfall driven by extreme weather conditions associated with climate change, which overwhelmed Mokwa’s drainage capacity,” the Minister explained.
He further noted that unregulated construction had obstructed a seasonal tributary of River Dingi—an offshoot of the River Niger—intensifying the flood’s impact.
Prof. Utsev praised the rapid intervention by the Niger State Government, local authorities, and emergency responders, and extended the federal government’s condolences and support to the affected communities.
He also revealed that the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), under his ministry, had previously issued warnings about potential flooding in Mokwa and 18 other local government areas in Niger State in its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook released on April 10.
According to the forecast, 1,249 communities in 176 local government areas across 33 states and the FCT fall within high flood risk zones, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs face moderate flood risk. High-risk states include Niger, Lagos, Kogi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Benue, Kebbi, and Rivers, among others.
Reiterating the ministry’s earlier warnings, Utsev urged states and local governments to urgently strengthen their drainage infrastructure, relocate communities from flood-prone areas, increase public awareness campaigns, and enforce land-use regulations to stop encroachments.
“The AFO not only predicts flood risks at LGA and community levels but also provides recommendations for adaptation and mitigation. We urge stakeholders to use the NIHSA flood forecast dashboard to guide proactive measures,” he said.
He described the Mokwa flood as a “stark reminder” of the growing impacts of climate change on Nigeria’s water systems and emphasized the ministry’s commitment to managing water resources sustainably and building climate-resilient communities.
Utsev disclosed that technical teams from NIHSA, the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, and the National Water Resources Institute are already in Mokwa assessing the disaster and will provide a detailed report soon.
Meanwhile, a top official in the ministry who spoke off the record told The Nation that the Federal Government had already disbursed funds to states for the maintenance, upgrade, and expansion of drainage systems in flood-prone areas.
She claimed many state governors failed to utilize the funds, which she blamed for the scale of the devastation in Mokwa.
“The truth is that these deaths are not because of dam releases or federal inaction. It is the negligence of some governors who did not deploy the funds released to them for flood control,” she said.
The ministry restated its condolence to the people and Government of Niger State, calling for nationwide collaboration across all levels of government, civil society, and the private sector to address what it described not just as a natural disaster, but a developmental challenge.
