Evaluation of Post-Flood Recovery and Spatial Reconstruction Patterns in Lokoja, Kogi State

Post-flood recovery and spatial reconstruction in Nigerian cities reveal important insights into community resilience, planning governance, and the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction frameworks. This study evaluates post-flood recovery processes and spatial reconstruction patterns in Lokoja, Kogi State, following the devastating 2022 flood which displaced thousands of residents and damaged extensive areas of the city. A mixed-methods design combining GIS mapping of reconstruction activity with a survey of 185 flood-affected households was used to document recovery outcomes, reconstruction quality, and compliance with updated flood risk guidelines. Interviews were conducted with Kogi State Emergency Management Agency officials, NEMA representatives, and community leaders to assess government recovery support delivery, resettlement site selection, and reconstruction guidance provided to returning households. Findings are expected to reveal that most households returned to flood-risk areas due to limited alternatives and inadequate resettlement planning, reconstructing with similar or less flood-resistant materials. The study examines the planning governance gaps that permitted pre-flood development in high-risk floodplain zones and assesses whether post-flood building guidelines are being observed. Recommendations include development of a formal post-disaster reconstruction policy, risk-informed spatial planning for Lokoja's flood-prone zones, incentive programs for flood-resilient construction, and mandatory buyout and relocation programs for the most hazardous settlement locations. Keywords: Post-flood recovery, Spatial reconstruction, Lokoja, Disaster risk reduction, Urban resilience.