Veteran public figure and business leader Earl Osaro Onaiwu has issued a passionate call for Nigeria’s private sector to rise to the occasion in the wake of the catastrophic flood in Mouka, Niger State.
He challenged companies to move beyond symbolic philanthropy and embrace Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a national duty.
Speaking after the flooding—one of Nigeria’s deadliest in years—Onaiwu said, “Disasters demand more than donations. We need bold, coordinated action from the private sector to support the most vulnerable and rebuild what’s broken.”
The flood, which struck on May 29, killed at least 153 people and displaced more than 3,000, according to official figures. UNICEF confirmed that over 1,600 displaced children under 12 and nearly 400 lactating mothers are now without shelter. Transportation routes through Mokwa—an essential economic artery—have been cut off, deepening the crisis.
Onaiwu, who previously served as Director-General of the Governors’ Forum, warned that Nigeria cannot afford to treat private sector engagement as optional during emergencies. He described the current response from corporations as “underwhelming and disconnected.”
“This tragedy should shake every boardroom in this country. It’s time for companies to step out of the sidelines and become active participants in nation-building,” he said.
He proposed a Private Sector Emergency Response Fund, as well as a CSR Coalition for Disaster Relief, to ensure a swift, organized, and impactful response to future emergencies.
“Imagine the possibilities if Nigeria’s top companies pooled resources, logistics, and technical expertise whenever disaster strikes,” Onaiwu added. “True CSR means being present when it matters most.”
For Onaiwu, the Mouka disaster is a defining moment—a test of whether Nigerian businesses will merely market themselves as community-friendly, or prove it when lives are on the line.
“We must build a corporate culture where compassion is not a campaign—it’s a commitment,” he said. “This country needs more than resilience. It needs responsibility.”