The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved N83.2 billion for a nationwide climate response initiative aimed at reducing the impact of flooding and other environmental emergencies across Nigeria.
The intervention, known as the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF), is designed to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve early response mechanisms ahead of expected flood risks.
The funding decision was made during the 158th meeting of the National Economic Council, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to the council, the approval followed a presentation by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who outlined the urgency of addressing increasing flood-related threats nationwide.
The initiative is expected to support both federal and state-level climate response operations.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chairs the NEC, urged stronger cooperation between federal and state governments to remove logistical and regulatory barriers affecting key economic sectors, including agriculture.
He stressed that the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda must be measured by its impact on ordinary Nigerians.
Shettima noted that farmers, manufacturers, and vulnerable communities must be the primary beneficiaries of government policies.
Shettima described NEC as a “national workshop” where policies must translate into real-life improvements for citizens.
He said Nigeria is transitioning from economic stabilisation to productive growth, requiring coordinated national action across all sectors.
According to him, government interventions must now focus on systems that deliver measurable outcomes rather than policy discussions alone.
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State described flooding as a recurring national challenge and commended the federal government for adopting a proactive approach.
He said the AATF funding request marked a shift from reactive disaster response to preventive planning.
Similarly, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State welcomed the initiative, noting that Nigeria is now taking early steps to mitigate flood risks before disasters occur.
He described the move as a significant improvement in national disaster management strategy.
The NEC emphasised that the intervention is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s climate resilience framework and improve social protection systems for vulnerable communities.
Officials said the initiative will help reduce the economic and humanitarian impact of flooding, which has increasingly affected agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihoods across the country.
