The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday approved ₦83.2 billion as part of the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF) intervention plans to mitigate flooding disasters nationwide.
The council approved the funding during its 158th meeting, following a presentation by Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.
Shifting from reaction to proactive climate action
Bagudu stressed the critical need to proactively address perennial flooding across Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season. The council subsequently approved strategies to mitigate the impact of anticipated floods and climate-related emergencies, focusing heavily on frontline states designated as highly vulnerable.
Urging state governments to prioritise early preparation, Bagudu emphasised that anticipatory measures are vital to managing disasters and emergencies effectively. He noted that the council must move away from a legacy of purely reactionary responses to predictable environmental crises.
