Federal and state governments in Nigeria have been urged to strengthen school infrastructure in flood-prone areas to mitigate educational disruptions caused by climate change-induced flooding. This appeal was made by Mr. Taiwo Ogunwumi, Founder and Senior Project Lead of the Geohazards Risk Mapping Initiative (GRMI), during a presentation in Ilorin, Kwara State, highlighting findings from a recent survey conducted in Lagos and Kogi states.

The survey revealed that while many schools in the studied states are strategically located in low-risk zones, the intensity of flooding often leads to temporary closures, disrupting academic activities. Ogunwumi emphasized the need for resilient infrastructure, including elevated buildings and improved drainage systems, to ensure schools remain operational during flood events. He noted that an estimated 2.5 million children and youths in Nigeria reside in flood-prone areas, putting their education and mental well-being at significant risk.

In addition to structural improvements, Ogunwumi called for psychosocial support for students affected by flooding to address the emotional and mental toll of such events. He also advocated for remote learning platforms to ensure continuity of education during school closures and proposed youth-focused training programs to empower students to identify flood-prone areas and contribute to disaster risk reduction.

Mr. Kayode Adeniyi, Head of Research at GRMI, underscored the severity of the situation, citing a National Bureau of Statistics report that indicated students in flood-affected areas missed an average of 53 school days in 2022. Adeniyi stressed that flooding disproportionately affects marginalized communities, threatening Nigeria’s progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Both experts urged immediate government action to safeguard the future of education in Nigeria’s flood-prone regions.