From Advocacy to Action: The Time to Dredge Rivers Niger and Benue Is Now

By Abdul Kezo IkonAllah

In July 2025, I published an article titled ““The Urgent Case for Dredging Rivers Niger and Benue: A National Imperative for Economic Growth, Flood Control and Political Integration”” (https://ikonallah.com/2025/07/23/the-urgent-case-for-dredging-rivers-niger-and-benue-a-national-imperative-for-economic-growth-flood-control-and-political-integration/). It highlighted the environmental and economic benefits Nigeria could derive from dredging its two major rivers.

More than a year later, the issue remains urgent.

Every rainy season, warnings are issued, emergency agencies prepare for possible disasters, and residents of vulnerable communities are advised to relocate. Yet floods continue to destroy homes, farmlands, roads and businesses.

Families are displaced, farmers lose their crops, and governments spend significant resources providing relief materials and repairing damaged infrastructure. Although emergency preparedness remains essential, Nigeria cannot continue to manage flooding mainly by responding after communities have been devastated.

One important preventive measure is the dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue.

Over the years, sand, silt, vegetation and other materials have accumulated in sections of the rivers. This reduces their depth and capacity to carry large volumes of water during periods of heavy rainfall and increased upstream flow.

When the rivers can no longer contain the water, it spreads into nearby communities and farmlands. Lokoja, where the two rivers meet, and several other low-lying communities remain particularly vulnerable.

Dredging would remove accumulated materials, deepen critical sections and improve water flow. It may not completely eliminate flooding, but it could reduce the pressure on vulnerable communities when combined with other measures.

The question is whether the government has the political will to move the proposal from discussion to implementation.

For decades, dredging the Niger and Benue has featured in government plans and public discussions. Promises have been made and projects announced, but the consistency needed to achieve lasting results has been lacking.

Nigeria needs a practical programme that identifies sections requiring immediate attention. The work could be implemented in phases, beginning with locations where siltation and recurrent flooding pose the greatest danger.

It must not become another ceremonial project launched with fanfare and abandoned after a few months. Dredging requires adequate funding, transparency, proper supervision and regular maintenance. Since rivers will continue to accumulate sediment, the exercise cannot be treated as a one-off intervention.

Dredging must also form part of a wider flood-management strategy. Drainage channels should be cleared and maintained, while construction on waterways and floodplains must be controlled. Wetlands that naturally absorb excess water should also be protected.

Communities have responsibilities as well. Dumping refuse into drains, streams and rivers blocks the movement of water and worsens flooding. Public enlightenment and sanitation enforcement must therefore continue.

Early-warning information should reach vulnerable communities in simple language and through trusted channels. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations and local media should be involved in communicating warnings and supporting evacuation plans.

The federal, state and local governments must also improve coordination. Floodwater does not recognise political boundaries. The management of Rivers Niger and Benue should be treated as a national responsibility rather than a collection of disconnected projects.

The benefits would extend beyond flood control. Improved river channels could support inland water transportation, reduce pressure on Nigeria’s roads and create opportunities for trade. Farmers could move produce more easily, while inland ports and riverine communities could experience renewed economic activity.

The cost of dredging and maintaining the rivers may be substantial, but the cost of repeated flood disasters is greater. Every year, Nigeria loses homes, crops, livestock and public infrastructure. These losses worsen poverty, threaten food security and place additional pressure on public finances.

The Federal Government, working with relevant states and institutions, should present Nigerians with a clear plan for dredging and continuously managing Rivers Niger and Benue. The plan should contain definite timelines, priority locations, funding arrangements and a transparent system for monitoring progress.

My earlier article was a call for national attention. This follow-up is a call for action.

Dredging Rivers Niger and Benue will not solve every flood-related problem. However, combined with proper drainage, responsible land use, effective early-warning systems and community preparedness, it could significantly reduce the destruction experienced each year.

The rainy season will always return. Nigeria must decide whether to keep waiting for disaster or take the necessary steps to reduce its impact.

The time to move from promises to action is now.

Abdul Kezo IkonAllah is a public affairs analyst and communications specialist who writes on national development and public policy.