..Farmers Count Losses as Farmlands Disappear
Flooding is not just a humanitarian crisis in Nigeria it is fast becoming a national food security challenge. As rivers burst their banks and rainfall intensifies, agricultural hubs in the North and Middle Belt have been devastated, raising fears of soaring food prices.
According to NEMA, over 200,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed in 2025 alone, a figure experts say will disrupt supply chains nationwide. Rice-producing states like Kebbi and Benue have recorded massive losses, while fishing communities in Bayelsa and Delta say their livelihoods are in jeopardy.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier predicted above-normal rainfall this year, but inadequate flood-prevention measures have left communities vulnerable. Farmers in Nasarawa say they watched helplessly as months of work disappeared overnight.
“This year is worse than before. We planted rice on more than 50 hectares, but the flood took everything,” lamented Musa Ahmed, a farmer in Lafia.
Market analysts warn that food inflation, already above 30%, may worsen in the coming months. Families in urban centers could feel the pinch as basic staples become more expensive.
The federal government has pledged to invest in irrigation and flood-resistant farming practices. Yet, critics argue that policy interventions are often reactive rather than preventive. International aid groups, including the World Food Programme (WFP), have urged Nigeria to strengthen disaster preparedness to avoid large-scale hunger.
With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather, experts say Nigeria’s agricultural future depends on balancing emergency response with sustainable adaptation. The question remains: can the nation safeguard its farmlands from the waters that rise each year?
