NON-STRUCTURAL FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES AND FLOOD RISK REDUCTION IN NIGERIA

Worldwide, flooding is without much doubt the highest cause of losses from natural events. No region in the world is safe from being flooded. Nigeria is not an exception. Modern flood mitigation is increasingly non-structural. As flood safety cannot be reached in most vulnerable areas with the help of structural means alone, a combination of structural and non-structural measures seems to be a proper solution. This study reflects on critical issue relating to flooding in Nigeria such as measures, flood risk, hazard and risk reduction. Non-structural measures are in better agreement with the spirit of sustainable development, being more reversible, commonly acceptable, and environment-friendly. Among such measures are source control (watershed/landscape structure management), laws and regulations (including zoning), flood proofing, an efficient flood forecast-warning system, flood insurance, awareness raising, and flood risk mapping. These appear today as indispensable complements to structural engineering solutions.