The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to urgently intervene in Kebbi State, where weeks of relentless flooding have ravaged communities, destroyed farmlands, and crippled critical infrastructure.
The disaster, which intensified in July 2025 following torrential rains and the controlled release of water from dams along the River Goronyo and River Niger, has displaced thousands of residents and caused massive agricultural and economic losses.
Kebbi, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s food baskets, has seen large swathes of rice and maize farmlands submerged, raising fears of a looming food supply crisis.
In a solidarity message to Governor Nasir Idris, signed by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, the labour body expressed deep anguish over the scale of destruction, warning that the flooding was not merely a state-level emergency but a national economic concern.
“We have watched with deep pain as farmlands, the lifeline of millions, have been swept away.
The devastation of homes, roads, bridges, and public facilities compounds the tragedy, while lives have sadly been lost. Kebbi’s disaster touches the stomach of the nation,” Ajaero stated.
According to the NLC, the damage to food-producing regions like Kebbi is a direct threat to Nigeria’s food security.
The union stressed that any disruption to Kebbi’s agricultural output—particularly its rice production—could worsen inflation and increase dependence on costly imports at a time when millions of households are already struggling.
The NLC commended Governor Idris for setting up a high-powered assessment committee chaired by the Commissioner for Works to inspect damages, document verifiable evidence, and recommend immediate recovery measures.
“This proactive step reflects strategic leadership committed to restoration and future mitigation.
We urge the governor not to be discouraged by the herculean task of rehabilitation, as resilience and collective action will drive recovery,” the NLC noted.
While praising the state government’s early interventions, the NLC emphasized that only the Federal Government has the capacity to deliver the scale of relief needed. The labour union called for:
Substantial federal funding for infrastructure repair, including roads, bridges, schools, and health centres.
Provision of relief materials and palliatives for displaced families and communities in dire need.
Agricultural recovery support for farmers who lost farmlands and harvests.
National flood prevention strategies, including stronger dam management, climate adaptation plans, and improved disaster response systems.
The NLC stressed that rebuilding Kebbi should not be treated as an isolated effort but as part of a broader national resilience framework.
Agricultural experts have echoed the NLC’s warnings, noting that Kebbi accounts for a significant share of Nigeria’s rice and grain supply. A collapse in production, they argue, could have ripple effects across the country.
Local farmer associations estimate that over 60,000 hectares of farmland have been lost in the 2025 flooding, with damages running into billions of naira.
Beyond food supply, the economic impact includes rising unemployment among farm labourers and disruptions in related industries like milling, storage, and distribution.
Climate specialists also warn that worsening rainfall patterns, inadequate drainage systems, and poorly maintained dams increase the risk of recurrent flooding unless stronger long-term measures are adopted.
The NLC said the crisis in Kebbi should unite Nigerians in solidarity, much like labour unions stand together in collective action.
“Just as unions thrive on unity, so too must our nation rally in the face of this disaster. The burden must be shared across Nigeria,” Ajaero declared.
He added that adversity should be seen as an opportunity to build more resilient communities, urging both federal and state governments to prioritize sustainable reconstruction, rural infrastructure upgrades, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
For many residents of Kebbi, the road to recovery will be long. Families who lost homes now rely on overcrowded shelters.
Farmers who watched entire harvests vanish face uncertain futures. Yet, amidst the devastation, the NLC insists that decisive federal action and collective national will can transform tragedy into opportunity.
“History teaches us that great leaders are defined by how they respond to crises. What may seem like tragedy today can be transformed into lasting resilience tomorrow,” Ajaero concluded.
As Kebbi struggles to rise from the floods, the question remains: will Nigeria seize this moment to invest in stronger, safer, and food-secure communities—or allow history to repeat itself?