By Jalo Sulaiman Director Operations AMG Foundation.
The Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation (AMG Foundation) and its partners hosted an environmental dialogue titled “Effects of Flooding in Kano State:
Recommendations for actions by government, NGOs, and citizens” were discussed at length on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the AHBN regional office in Kano.
In his opening remarks, Jalo Sulaiman, Director Operations of the AMG Foundation, highlighted that the dialogue was organized due to frequent flooding incidents in the state and urged participants to contribute to the discussion.
Making his presentation, the Lead Presenter, Comrade Ali Wali, Executive Director of the Network for Environmental Safety and Society Development (NESSD), stated that from January 2024 to date, 49 lives were lost, 226 communities were devastated, and 6,583 houses were destroyed across 27 LGAs in Kano State as a result of flooding caused by blockages of waterways, poor drainage systems, excessive rainfall, rapid urbanization, among others.
Some of the key recommendations given to the government, NGOs, and citizens by the presenter include:
– The government should develop comprehensive flood risk management strategies, including mapping flood-prone areas and implementing mitigation measures.
– The government should upgrade infrastructure such as stormwater drainage systems to modern standards.
– NGOs should build the capacity of local communities to respond to flood disasters through training and awareness on flood preparedness and mitigation.
– NGOs should advocate for policies and practices that prioritize flood risk management and mitigation.
– Citizens should avoid dumping refuse in drainages and waterways.
– Citizens should conduct regular environmental sanitation.
Discussants of the paper presented; Malama Zainab Nasir Ahmad, Mallam Sagiir Salihu Chedi and Mallam Garba Haruna Idris, gave valuable inputs with a recommendation that the Kano State government should reintroduce “duba gari” to complement the monthly sanitation exercise in the state.
The environmental dialogue was attended by CSOs, government officials and the media.
