The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved N83.21 billion for flood preparedness and climate emergency interventions as the Federal Government moves to protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure ahead of anticipated flooding across the country.
The approval was granted during the 158th NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marking what officials described as a significant shift from reactive disaster response to proactive prevention.
Addressing council members, Shettima urged state governments to work more closely with the Federal Government to remove barriers hindering Nigerian agricultural products from accessing international markets. He stressed that ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration must deliver tangible benefits to ordinary Nigerians.
According to the Vice President, government policies and interventions should be measured by their impact on farmers, manufacturers, unemployed youths, vulnerable citizens and future generations. He maintained that Nigeria’s economic transformation requires a transition from stabilisation to production, implementation and coordinated national growth.
Shettima also emphasised the need for economic diversification, insisting that Nigeria can no longer depend on exporting raw materials while importing finished products. He noted that sustainable prosperity would come through a strong value chain connecting agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, quality standards and export markets.
The flood intervention fund followed a presentation by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, on strategies to address flooding and climate-related disasters during the rainy season.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu disclosed that NEC approved N83.21 billion, representing 50 per cent of the N166.42 billion requested by the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF), established to coordinate early responses to flooding and climate emergencies.
Otu described the decision as a landmark move, noting that government has often waited until floods caused widespread destruction before responding. He said the latest intervention demonstrates a commitment to preventing disasters rather than merely providing relief after lives and property have been lost.
Council members agreed that disaster management should focus on prevention and mitigation, especially as flooding continues to pose a recurring threat to communities across the country.
Explaining the reduction of the original request by half, Otu said NEC considered available resources while ensuring immediate action could commence. He added that additional funding could be provided as the situation evolves and further assessments are conducted.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the allocation as the first phase of a broader strategy that includes long-term infrastructure projects such as reservoirs designed to mitigate flooding caused by climate change and periodic releases of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam.
He noted that states vulnerable to flooding from both heavy rainfall and dam releases stand to benefit from proactive measures being introduced for the first time before disasters occur.
Beyond flood management, NEC also considered the proposed National Regional Development Policy (NRDP) 2026–2030, designed to address development disparities across Nigeria and strengthen regional development commissions.
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf said the policy seeks to provide a coordinated framework for balanced and inclusive growth while tackling long-standing regional inequalities. The initiative aligns with the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2026–2030 and aims to improve collaboration between federal and state governments.
The council also discussed measures to boost Nigeria’s agro-export sector. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke revealed that NEC reviewed proposals to achieve international ship and port facility security compliance, remove export bottlenecks and strengthen the country’s agro-export value chain.
Council was informed that crude oil still accounts for about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s export earnings, while an estimated $50 billion annual agro-export potential remains untapped. To address this, NEC resolved to prioritise International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code compliance, fund critical export infrastructure and support the establishment of a dedicated National Agro-Export Board.
The council directed further consultations with relevant ministries and agencies to refine the proposals before implementation.
Meanwhile, NEC received updates on balances in key national reserve accounts. According to the Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Excess Crude Account stood at $535.82 million as of June 17, 2026, while the Stabilisation Account recorded N79.06 billion and the Natural Resources Development Account held N200.69 billion.
The approvals come amid forecasts of severe flooding in parts of Nigeria during the 2026 rainy season, underscoring growing efforts by federal and state governments to strengthen climate resilience, disaster preparedness and sustainable development nationwide.
