IMPACTS OF FLOODING IN NIGERIA’S EDUCATIONAL SECTOR IN 2024: CASESTUDY OF SCHOOLS IN LEKKI, LAGOS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Flooding is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing man throughout the century. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC, 2017) considered floods as the most destructive climate- related danger in the world. The explanation of this is the overall rise in sea level globally, due to global warming as well as the saturated condition of the wetlands in the riverine areas (Adeloye, 2018). Rustum (2018) pointed out that periodic floods occur on many rivers, forming a surrounding region known as flood plain and that rivers overflow for reasons like excess rainfall and this caused houses to collapse, washed away livestock, damaged bridges and caused overflow of dams, submergence of buildings, displacement of people from their homes, loss of people’s valuables and in most severe cases death.

According to United Nations International Strategy (UNIS) (2018) floods are problem when the magnitude and impacts of their occurrence exceeds the ability of affected communities to cope or they become a disaster when an event leads to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or society causing widespread human, material, economic and or environmental losses, which exceed the ability of the affected society to cope using their own resources. In Africa, flood impacts are felt throughout several sectors of the economy, including education, agriculture, livestock, transit, housing, public health, industrial processes, and tourism which have significant socio-economic and political ramifications (Dida et al., 2023). According to Gicher et al., (2023) disasters damage not just individuals, but can also shred the fabric of social life in bigger communities, even whole countries. The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC, 2017) revealed that children from the marginalized segment of society live in flood prone, slum regions are among the most affected. This is a huge humanitarian problem that poses a threat to the attainment of Millennium Development Goals, notably the second objective of establishing universal primary education (United Nations Centre for Regional Development 2009: Olado & Anyona, 2020).

Education is widely hailed as the most essential aspect for attaining sustainable development and employed as an important strategy for influencing attitudes and behaviour (Street, 2023). According to Turnbull (2023) the Hyogo Framework for Action recognized this and encouraged governments and civil society to employ education, which encourages knowledge and creativity, in order to establish a culture of safety and resilience at all levels of the nation. The most vulnerable, yet understudied group, when disasters strike are school students (Ombui et al 2022). According to Masese (2019), flood effects to the socio-economic well-being of children have been well documented; yet, the impacts on children’s access and right to quality education have received little attention and this has resulted in a lack of studies on the effects of floods on school children. The destruction of schools is one way in which floods might limit educational attainment (Opiyo & Okayo, 2021). In their opinion, protecting kids and schools during natural calamities is vital in the 21st Century (Opiyo & Okayo, 2021).

Anisur & Mdzakir (2018) stated that floods have multiple negative effects, including the closure of schools, destruction of infrastructure, inaccessibility of roads for students and teachers, displacement of families, and an increased risk of disease outbreak. Impoverished families, devoid of any possessions, face the inability to provide education for their children due to insufficient provisions such as food and clothing (Lay & Ma, 2020). Schools and their contents can suffer damage, destruction, or be repurposed as shelters for displaced individuals, rendering them temporarily or permanently unsuitable for educational purposes (Sanjaya, 2021).

Flooding is a recurring problem in Nigeria, especially in coastal areas like Lagos. Flooding has diverse effects on several sectors, such as transportation, housing, health, and particularly education (Ashimolowo, 2024). Floods pose a significant risk to the educational sector, since they have the potential to interrupt academic activities, cause physical damage to infrastructure, and create hazardous conditions for both students and staff (Akanimoh, 2024). Lekki, an affluent district in Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the areas that has been greatly impacted by water. The region's low-lying topography, combined with insufficient drainage infrastructure and rapid urban development, renders it highly vulnerable to severe floods during the rainy season. 

In recent years, the region has been subjected to significant floods, which has sparked worries regarding its effects on different aspects of the community, including schooling (Jimoh, 2024). This study examines the effects of flooding on educational institutions in Lekki, Lagos, during the year 2024. The objective is to investigate the magnitude of the destruction caused by floods, the strategies employed by schools to address the situation, and the overall impact on educational achievements. The study aims to analyze these aspects in order to present empirical evidence on the impact of floods on education in flood-prone regions and propose effective solutions to alleviate these consequences. Therefore, the investigation is necessary.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The educational system in Nigeria, especially in sensitive regions like Lekki, Lagos, faces substantial issues due to flooding. The 2024 flooding disasters have probably worsened these difficulties, impacting schools in several ways. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the precise consequences is essential for formulating efficient measures to reduce and adjust to the effects.

Floods have resulted in the closure of numerous schools, the abandonment of students, the destruction of properties, the loss of infrastructure, and the temporary cessation of formal education (Chinonso, 2023). During floods, schools may be shuttered or partially submerged, rendering the roads, bridges, and pathways unusable for students and staff. Due to safety concerns or lack of access, learners and teachers may be compelled to relocate to other schools or discontinue their education, resulting in temporary abandonment of schools (George et al., 2023). Omoh (2022) states that floods impede enrollment as parents are reluctant to jeopardise their children's well-being. Consequently, schools that are susceptible to flooding are more likely to shut down due to low enrollment. Floods often result in the destruction or washing away of roadways, rendering schools inaccessible and causing a decrease in attendance rates (George et al., 2023).

Moreover, the flooding in Lagos has adverse implications for human well-being as it leads to the contamination of water sources and an increase in the prevalence of waterborne diseases such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, diarrhoea, leptospirosis, and hepatitis A (Echendu, 2020; Olanrewaju et al., 2019). The continuous discharge of untreated sewage and the accumulation of waste in Lagos have led to the pollution of wells and boreholes used for household purposes. This exacerbates the issue of restricted access to potable water in the region (Olanrewaju et al., 2019; Atufu & Holt, 2018; Anabaraonye et al., 2024). Flooding poses health hazards, including the transmission of waterborne illnesses, that can impact both students and staff. Schools may be compelled to shut down in order to guarantee the safety of the school community. 

Finally, regular closures caused by flooding might result in a substantial reduction of instructional time, which has a negative impact on students' learning and academic achievements (Aniekan, 2024). Reorganising classes and exams can pose difficulties, resulting in an interrupted academic schedule (Ekpeno, 2024). Therefore, the necessity for this investigation arises. Aniekan (2024) argues that the mental well-being of pupils and instructors can be negatively impacted by the stress and worry caused by flooding. The ambiguity and disturbance can impede pupils' focus and involvement in educational tasks. This project will investigate the effects of flooding on Nigeria's educational sector in 2024. An analysis of educational institutions in the Lekki area of Lagos.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically analyse the impacts of Flooding In Nigeria’s Educational Sector in 2024: Case study of Schools In Lekki, Lagos. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To assess the extent of flood damage on schools in Lekki in 2024

To analyze how flooding has disrupted academic schedules and learning activities in Lekki in 2024

To determine the impact of flooding on the overall educational performance in Lekki in 2024.

To Investigate the health and safety issues arising from flooding in schools in Lekki in 2024.

To evaluate the effectiveness of strategies employed by schools and the government to mitigate the impacts of flooding on education

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

What is the extent of flood damage on schools in Lekki in 2024?

How has flooding disrupted academic schedules and learning activities in Lekki in 2024?

What is the impact of flooding on the overall educational performance in Lekki in 2024?

What are the health and safety issues arising from flooding in schools in Lekki in 2024?

How effective are the strategies employed by schools and the government to mitigate the impacts of flooding on education?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses will validate this study;

Ho: The extent of flood damage on schools in Lekki in 2024 is low.

Ha: The extent of flood damage on schools in Lekki in 2024 is high.

1.6 Significance of the study

Analysing the effects of floods on the educational sector in Lekki can provide valuable insights to politicians, school administrators, and community leaders regarding the difficulties encountered and the necessity for strong flood management and preparedness plans. The objective of this study is to enhance the creation of robust educational institutions that can endure the detrimental impacts of flooding, guarantee continuous learning, and protect the welfare of students and staff. 

The study's findings can provide valuable insights for policy recommendations aimed at enhancing catastrophe resilience in the educational sector. This involves promoting policies that incorporate measures to reduce the impact of disasters into the frameworks for planning and managing schools. Schools located in flood-prone areas that are susceptible to damage may have more significant obstacles in achieving educational goals compared to schools in more resilient regions. By implementing focused interventions, we may address these discrepancies and reduce educational inequities that are worsened by natural disasters.

Furthermore, future academics will employ it as a comprehensive analysis of the existing scholarly literature. Therefore, anyone who are interested in this area of research will be able to rely on this work as a trustworthy and carefully assessed source of knowledge.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically analyse the impacts of Flooding in Nigeria’s Educational Sector in 2024: Case study of Schools in Nigeria, in 2024. Specifically, this study seeks to assess the extent of Flood Damage on schools in Nigeria and analyze how flooding has disrupted academic schedules and learning activities in Nigeria, determine the impact of flooding on the overall educational performance in Nigeria in 2024, the health and safety issues arising from flooding in schools in Nigeria and it also seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies employed by schools and the government to mitigate the impacts of flooding on education.

The study is carried out in Lekki, Lagos.

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like in any human attempt, the researchers encountered several small limits during the investigation. The primary constraint was the dearth of comprehensive literature on the topic, given the scarcity of data pertaining to the effects of Flooding in Nigeria's Educational Sector in 2024: A case study of Schools in Lekki, Lagos. Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to identify the suitable materials, books, or information and to collect data. 

Moreover, this study is limited by its diminutive sample size and restricted geographical range, concentrating just on Lekki, Lagos. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated, thereby necessitating additional research. 

Furthermore, the researcher's restraints were predominantly attributable to financial limitations, as they are a student without a means of revenue to support themselves. The research location's high transportation costs, impacted by current inflation in Nigeria, made it difficult to afford transportation fees.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while simultaneously meeting the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational pursuits.

1.9 Definition of terms

Flood: Flood is an overflow of water onto normally dry land. The inundation of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream, or drainage ditch. Ponding of water at or near the point where the rain fell. Flooding is a longer term event than flash flooding: it may last days or weeks.

Flood pattern: Flood pattern" refers to the correlation and relationship between various parameters, such as rainfall and temperature, that contribute to the occurrence and severity of floods.

Urbanization: Urbanization is the process through which cities grow, and higher and higher percentages of the population come to live in the city.