Japan has committed $53,000 to support a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)-led project to strengthen flood resilience in Nigeria, with a focus on Niger State.
 
The commitment, formalised yesterday at the Arrangement Letter Signing Ceremony in Abuja, marks the official launch of the project titled “Strengthening Flood Resilience in Nigeria to Foster Long-term Societal Stability – Focus on Niger State.” 
 
The initiative seeks to help the country move away from emergency flood response towards proactive, climate-resilient development.
 
Speaking at the ceremony, the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, observed that the signing represented more than a formal agreement, stating: “This is rather a commitment to transforming vulnerability into strength and crisis into opportunity.”
 
Suzuki noted that climate-induced flooding poses an increasing threat to communities across Nigeria. He recalled the devastating floods that hit Niger State in 2025, particularly in Mokwa Local Council.

The envoy explained that the $53,000 support would fund a 12-month project on capacity building, strengthened early warning systems, youth-driven disaster risk reduction and climate risk-informed decision-making.
 
According to him, the scheme embodies the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, linking the protection of lives and livelihoods with long-term institutional strengthening and societal stability. 
 
He added that the initiative aligns with Japan’s commitments under the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) and advances key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goals 11 and 13.
 
In her remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Project Office, Dr Aishetu Ndayako, described the partnership as timely and significant.
 
She commended UNESCO and the government of Japan for their support, assuring that the Ecological Project Office would work closely with relevant stakeholders for effective implementation of the project.
 
Also speaking, the UNESCO Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Hajo Sani, held that flooding has become a persistent and deeply concerning challenge for the country.

She said communities across the federation continue to suffer loss of lives, livelihoods and infrastructure as flood incidents increase.
 
Head of Office of UNESCO Abuja, Dr Jean-Paul Abiaga, said the signing marked more than a formal agreement. He described it as a shared promise to protect communities and build long-term resilience.
 
Abiaga explained that the project would bring together science, education, community engagement and policy support.