NASRDA Leads Nigeria’s Flood Response Using Advanced Space Technology

The National Space Research and Development Agency is spearheading Nigeria’s flood management efforts through the deployment of advanced space-based technologies and satellite imagery to monitor, map, and forecast flood events across the country.

The agency is leveraging the UN-SPIDER Recommended Practice on flood using Sentinel-1 SAR Data in Google Earth Engine.

NASRDA has been actively mapping the two major transboundary rivers in Nigeria, the River Niger and River Benue, as part of its flood response strategy.

The agency also conducted assessments of flood events in Bauchi, Kogi, Adamawa, and Taraba states.

A key focus of NASRDA’s work is monitoring the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, whose periodic water releases cause devastating flooding in downstream Nigerian communities.

The agency processes satellite imagery to monitor the spatial extent of water in the dam, using the information extracted for near-real-time forecasting of potential floods.

The Director General of NASRDA, Dr. Mathew Olumide Adepoju, has emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing flooding comprehensively. He stated that early warning systems are needed to ensure safety and NASRDA is willing to provide the needed data to forecast flooding and improve agri-food systems.

During a ministerial press briefing, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, applauded NASRDA for its role in providing relevant data that facilitates effective policy formulation and implementation.

The Minister noted that the space-based monitoring platform hosted by NASRDA has revealed alarming details regarding the activities surrounding the Lagdo Dam .

Nigeria is currently hosting the UN-SPIDER Regional Support Office in Abuja, through NASRDA.

This partnership has enabled the agency to carry out extensive disaster management activities, including flood mapping and risk assessment . The collaboration between NASRDA and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency ensures real-time monitoring and regular updates on potential flood threats.

NASRDA has also partnered with the International Water Management Institute on the “Early Warning for All” App, a platform with innovative flood management strategies.

The agency is collaborating with the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission to advance climate resilience and reduce disaster risk.