World Bank Suspends Mokwa Erosion Project After 2025 Flood, Work Set to Resume

The World Bank temporarily halted a major gully erosion control project in Mokwa, Niger State, after the devastating flood that struck the community on May 29, 2025, a Niger State official has disclosed.

The flood caused widespread destruction, killing residents, displacing thousands and damaging homes, farmland, roads and other critical infrastructure.

Raji Shehu Adam, Niger State Project Coordinator of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), revealed the development during a flood-resilience workshop organised by UNESCO with support from the Japanese government.

According to Adam, the World Bank-funded project was already close to being awarded when the disaster occurred.

He said the state government informed the World Bank about the scale of the destruction, prompting the bank to suspend the project and review its scope.

The massive damage meant the original plan was no longer sufficient, forcing authorities to reassess the project and effectively restart parts of the process.

Project procurement completed

Despite the delay, Adam said the project has now made significant progress.

He disclosed that the procurement process had been completed, the tender opened and the necessary report submitted for the engagement of a contractor.

The project is expected to tackle the erosion menace in Mokwa while improving the community’s ability to withstand future flooding.

Niger faces fresh flood threat

The warning comes as the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) identifies Niger as one of the states at high risk of flooding in 2026.

NIHSA Director-General Umar Ibrahim Mohammed listed Mashegu, Edati, Mokwa, Gbako and Agaie among the high-risk local government areas.

According to him, approximately 750 communities across the state could be affected by flooding.

Experts demand stronger early-warning response

Prof. David Jimoh, Chairman of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, said communities still face a major challenge in translating early-warning information into timely action.

He urged governments and stakeholders to focus more on preventing disasters and preparing communities rather than relying primarily on emergency responses after floods occur.

UNESCO Abuja Office Officer-in-Charge, Dr Damitri Sanga, said the training programme was designed to address these weaknesses, particularly in Mokwa.

She noted that the 2025 disaster caused extensive loss of lives, destroyed farmland and infrastructure and displaced thousands of residents.

Participants in the training will serve as community focal points, helping to monitor rainfall and river levels, distribute early warnings and improve emergency preparedness.

With Niger State again facing significant flood risks, officials say completing the Mokwa erosion project and strengthening community-based warning systems could help prevent future floods from turning into another devastating humanitarian crisis.