ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE 2024 FLOOD IN MASHEMARI WARD, MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS BORNO STATE.

This study assessed the economic impact of the 2024 flood in Mashemari Ward, Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State, Nigeria. The research was motivated by the increasing frequency and severity of flood events in Nigeria and a identified gap in detailed economic impact studies within the conflict-affected north eastern region. The study adopted a quantitative methods approach, combining a household and business survey of 110 respondents Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis, guided by an integrated framework of the Pressure and Release (PAR) model and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA). Key findings revealed that the flood caused severe direct and indirect economic losses, including extensive damage to housing, destruction of business inventory, and loss of agricultural produce. A significant finding was the drastic decline in household income, with the proportion of respondents earning above ₦50,000 monthly falling from 73% pre-flood to 36% post-flood. The flood also led to prolonged displacement, with 45% of respondents displaced for over three months, severely disrupting livelihoods. Affected households relied on erosive coping strategies such as depleting savings and selling assets. The study concluded that the flood's impact was a result of underlying vulnerabilities, including poor drainage, unplanned urbanization, and weak institutional response, rather than just a natural event. It recommends proactive investment in drainage infrastructure, enforcement of urban planning laws, the establishment of community-based disaster management committees, and the promotion of livelihood diversification to enhance resilience against future flood disasters in the study area.