A flood-ravaged city in Nigeria rebounds swiftly, with residents praising unity and resilience
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — At the heart of Maiduguri’s busy central market, Elizabeth Felix takes in the familiar chaos — vendors arranging their goods, shoppers bargaining energetically, and vibrant fabrics flapping beside rows of fresh vegetables and salted fish emitting a pungent scent.
Just half a year earlier, none of this was possible. Heavy rainfall submerged the market in water, part of widespread flooding across Central and West Africa. Experts called it one of the most extreme consequences of climate change the region had faced in many years.
“That was the hardest time of my life,” said the 43-year-old trader of dried fish, recalling the destruction. Her business was wiped out, and goods worth over 2 million naira ($1,332) were lost to the flood. “Everything I had was gone,” she said.
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Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state in northern Nigeria — long affected by an insurgency led by Islamic extremists — was among the most devastated. Scores of people died, hundreds of thousands were displaced, infrastructure crumbled, and the city’s Sanda Kyarimi zoo lost a significant number of animals.
Triggered by unrelenting rains and the failure of a nearby dam, about 15% of the city was submerged. Neighborhoods vanished beneath the rising water, compounding the city’s already dire situation from years of conflict and hunger.
FILE - Buildings and homes lie drenched after a dam ruptured in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Sept 10, 2024. (AP Photos/ Musa Ajit Borno, File)
FILE - Buildings and homes lie drenched after a dam ruptured in Maiduguri, Nigeria, Sept 10, 2024. (AP Photos/ Musa Ajit Borno, File)
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In spite of the devastation, a determined comeback is underway. Authorities have repaired at least seven major roads, including Fori Road — once a haunting symbol of the flood’s reach. Locals attribute the rebound to both community resilience and critical financial backing, built over years of navigating crises.
According to Adam Bababe, head of the Borno Geographic Information Service, more than 18 billion naira (about $12 million) was distributed to the over 100,000 households impacted. Additional help came from the United Nations and partners, totaling 4.3 billion naira ($2.8 million), while the state allocated 20 billion naira ($13.2 million) for rebuilding efforts.
Yet, assistance didn’t arrive immediately. Camps for displaced families opened only days after the flooding. In the meantime, local youths stepped in with grassroots aid.
“We rallied around — donating clothes and utensils to the displaced,” recalled Ijasini Ijani, a resident. "Some business owners gave shelter until the authorities established a formal camp three days later."
People stroll by Maiduguri's reopened primary market on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joshua Olatunji)
People stroll by Maiduguri's reopened primary market on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joshua Olatunji)
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Lawan Maigana, a local media figure, organized a youth network through his Facebook page. The group raised millions of naira to provide meals and essentials — especially for women, children, and the elderly.
Using military-supplied canoes, the group reached remote and flood-stricken zones, hand-delivering food to those who couldn’t cook or leave their homes safely.
Thanks to support from her social network, Felix was able to relaunch her fish business. “I’ve restarted, and honestly, things are going better than last year,” she said proudly.
Years of surviving insurgency have taught the people of Maiduguri endurance and mutual aid, noted Ijani. “Right after the flood, people picked up the pieces and kept going — working, selling, trading, surviving together.”
The recovery is about more than just reopened stalls and fixed roads. It’s the spirit of the people, refusing to give up.
An elephant walks within its enclosure at a zoo in Maiduguri, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joshua Olatunji)
An elephant walks within its enclosure at a zoo in Maiduguri, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joshua Olatunji)
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Sanda Kyarimi Park has reopened as well, bringing joy back to the community. “We lost many animals, and several escaped — crocodiles, snakes — but we’ve rebuilt what we had,” said the zoo's manager, Ali Abacha Don Best.
For 19-year-old Alai Bakura, the reopening represents the return of happier memories from childhood festivals and birthday celebrations.
“It feels good to be back and enjoy it like we used to before the flood,” he said with a smile.
A local visitor observes crocodiles inside the zoo in Maiduguri, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joshua Olatunji)
A local visitor observes crocodiles inside the zoo in Maiduguri, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joshua Olatunji)
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Efforts to restore the dam that failed have now commenced. The federal government announced that reconstruction will be carried out in two stages over two years, at a total estimated cost of 80 billion naira ($53 million).
With completion scheduled for 2027, the renewed dam is expected to support agricultural irrigation and improve access to safe water. The first phase will focus on critical repairs to guard against future floods, said Joseph Utsev, the water minister.
“We've endured Boko Haram, and we endured the flood,” said Felix with conviction. “With God's grace, we continue forward.”
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