By Aminu Abubakar
Sokoto State received a total of N2.539 billion from the Federal Government’s Ecology Fund in the 2025 fiscal year but spent only N397.708 million on erosion and flooding control, despite experiencing devastating flood incidents that displaced residents, destroyed homes and damaged livelihoods across parts of the state.
An analysis of federal allocation data shows that Sokoto received N2,538.521 million in ecological fund allocations between January and December 2025, while budget implementation records indicate that only N397.708 million was expended on erosion and flood control interventions during the same period.
The amount spent on flood and erosion control represents approximately 15.7 per cent of the total ecological fund receipts received by the state in 2025, leaving a gap of about N2.141 billion between receipts and expenditure on the specific purpose of addressing environmental challenges associated with flooding and erosion.
The Ecology Fund is designed to assist states in tackling ecological problems such as flooding, erosion, drought, desertification and other environmental hazards.
A breakdown of the allocations shows that receipts increased steadily throughout the year, particularly in the second half of 2025.
In January, Sokoto received N141.322 million, followed by N175.447 million in February and N187.870 million in March. Allocations stood at N173.142 million in April, N186.599 million in May and N170.842 million in June.
The upward trend became more pronounced from July onward. The state received N216.993 million in July, N251.577 million in August and N279.744 million in September, the highest monthly allocation recorded during the year.
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Subsequent allocations amounted to N231.050 million in October, N258.461 million in November and N265.474 million in December.
Overall, Sokoto received an average of approximately N211.54 million monthly from the Ecology Fund during the fiscal year.
Quarterly analysis further highlights the increase in receipts as the year progressed. The state received N504.639 million in the first quarter, N530.583 million in the second quarter, N748.314 million in the third quarter and N754.985 million in the fourth quarter.
The second half of the year accounted for N1.503 billion, representing about 59.2 per cent of the annual receipts, while the first half accounted for N1.035 billion.
Comparing the beginning and end of the year, ecology fund receipts rose from N141.322 million in January to N265.474 million in December, reflecting an increase of approximately 87.9 per cent.
The allocation pattern came against the backdrop of growing concerns over flood risks and recurring flooding incidents affecting communities across Nigeria, including Sokoto State.
Earlier in April, the Federal Government warned that 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were at risk of flooding in 2026, raising concerns about preparedness and mitigation measures at sub-national levels.
The warning underscored the need for proactive investments in flood control infrastructure, drainage systems and other ecological interventions aimed at reducing the impact of extreme weather events.
Despite these concerns, Sokoto’s spending on erosion and flooding control remained significantly lower than the total amount received through ecological fund allocations.
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The issue gained further prominence in July 2025 when severe flooding struck parts of Tureta Local Government Area following heavy rainfall.
Reports indicated that the flood disaster destroyed more than 50 residential buildings, submerged large expanses of farmland and swept through several market stalls.
The flooding displaced dozens of families and dealt a major blow to local economic activities, with many residents losing homes, crops and sources of livelihood.
The destruction highlighted the vulnerability of communities in the state to flood-related disasters and renewed calls for stronger investment in preventive and mitigation measures.
Flooding continued to affect communities later in the year, prompting intervention by emergency management authorities.
In October 2025, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) conducted an on-the-spot assessment of communities affected by flooding in parts of Sokoto State.
