Abuja: The Government of Japan and UNESCO have signed an Arrangement Letter to implement a $50,000 flood resilience project in Niger State. The project aims to strengthen long-term societal stability and reduce the impact of climate-induced flooding.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the signing ceremony for the project, titled ‘Strengthening Flood Resilience in Nigeria to Foster Long-Term Societal Stability with Focus on Niger State’, took place on Wednesday in Abuja. This event marked the formal launch of a 12-month implementation window in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Hideo Suzuki, emphasized that the project reflects a shared commitment to converting vulnerabilities into strengths and crises into opportunities. He recalled the devastating floods in 2025, which claimed over 500 lives and displaced more than 1,000 people in Niger State, highlighting the urgent need for preparedness against future disasters.
Mr. Suzuki stated, “This is why the Government of Japan is about to support this UNESCO project with approximately $50,000, and over the next 12 months, we will shift from reactive disaster response to proactive climate-resilient development.” The project will focus on capacity building, strengthening early warning systems, nuclear production, and innovative climate risk-informed decision analysis methodologies.
The project aligns with Japan’s development priorities under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and supports key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 and SDG 13.
Dr. John-Paul Abiaga, UNESCO Head of Office in Nigeria, said the 2025 floods exposed the urgent need to transition from emergency response to preparedness and coordinated action. He described the project as a science-driven and community-focused intervention aimed at preparing communities for early action and improving climate-informed decision-making.
Dr. Aisha Ndayako, Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Project Office, expressed the office’s commitment to the successful implementation of the project. She emphasized the need to move beyond emergency responses to adopt proactive, community-centered, and climate-resilient solutions.
Dr. Hajo Sani, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, noted that while the project focuses on Niger State, it has the potential for replication nationwide. She described it as a foundation that could generate practical lessons and momentum for replication in other flood-prone regions of Nigeria.
Dr. Enang Moma, National Professional Officer, Natural Science Sector, UNESCO, explained that the project was developed in response to the Japanese Supplementary Budget’s call for proposals. The initiative aims to strengthen national and community capacities for flood preparedness through improved institutional coordination, climate-risk-informed decision-making, and targeted capacity development.
The signing ceremony of the Arrangement Letter formalizes the partnership between UNESCO and the Government of Japan, officially launching the project to support flood resilience and long-term stability in Nigeria. The project’s objectives include raising public awareness, demonstrating Japan’s commitment to climate-resilient development, and reaffirming the longstanding cooperation between Japan and UNESCO in Nigeria.