FLOOD THREATS ON LAND USES AND POPULATION IN LOKOJA, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Flooding is a natural or man-made disaster that leads to voluntary or involuntary resettlement, which further causes population displacement and untold human misery. Lokoja, the capital town of Kogi State, Nigeria is prone to frequent flooding, posing significant threats to human settlements, infrastructure and economic activities. The study assesses the relationship between flood threat, land uses and population affected by flood in Lokoja metropolis. This research focused on flood occurrences of high to medium flood risk zones. Data were collected using both primary and secondary sources. 274 questionnaires were administered as sample sized to respondents across the strata of all the flood affected communities. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (percentage distribution) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s moment correlation) in assessing the relationships between minimum water levels, land uses and population affected by flood. Findings from the analysis show that there is a strong positive correlation between minimum water level and farmland and open space with the greatest correlation coefficient of 0.986. Also, commercial land uses has a slightly stronger correlation (0.899) with minimum water levels.The study therefore conclude that flooding had a significant impact on residential, commercial, and particularly agriculture and open spaces, inflicting widespread property and infrastructure damage.This research serves as a critical tool for policy makers, urban planners and stakeholders to priotize on flood risk management and coordinated physica development in Lokoja metropolis.