Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has issued a strongly worded open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning of the escalating threat posed by flooding in Nigeria’s capital city.
Adeyanju in the letter obtained by Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com) described the situation as an “emergency”, stressing that recent floods across Abuja are no longer isolated incidents of heavy rainfall but evidence of deeper environmental and infrastructural failures.
He noted that Abuja was originally designed as a modern capital with green areas, drainage corridors, canals, and waterways to safeguard against flooding. However, many of these spaces have been converted into residential and commercial developments, undermining the city’s ecological balance.
The activist highlighted several communities now identified by the FCT Emergency Management Department as flood-prone, including Lokogoma, Lugbe, Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Asokoro, Guzape, Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Kubwa, Kuje, Kwali, Abaji, and Galadimawa, among others.
Adeyanju accused successive administrations of distorting the Abuja Master Plan by approving developments on land originally reserved for environmental protection. He cited examples such as the covering of a major canal in Maitama to make way for residential buildings allegedly linked to political figures.
“Abuja is not supposed to be a city where a relatively ordinary rainfall can suddenly turn major residential and commercial districts into flood zones,” Adeyanju wrote.
Calling for urgent presidential intervention, he urged Tinubu to order a comprehensive review of land allocations and developments within designated green areas, parks, drainage corridors, and waterways.
Adeyanju warned that unchecked development could eventually put even Aso Rock, the seat of the Presidency, at risk of flooding.
The letter underscores growing concerns about Abuja’s resilience as the city continues to expand, hosting Nigeria’s most important institutions, foreign embassies, and millions of residents.
