Maiduguri Floods Create Unexpected Livelihood for Canoe Operators Amid Displacement

As floodwaters continue to rise across Maiduguri in Borno State, canoe paddlers are finding an unexpected source of income, ferrying stranded residents across submerged roads and divided communities.

During a tour of the affected areas on Saturday, our correspondent observed brisk activity along the newly formed waterways, where canoes now serve as the primary means of transport. Fares range from ₦30 to ₦200, depending on the location and time of day.

Key locations benefiting from this makeshift water transport network include Moduganari, Fori, Polo, and Bulumkutu, among others.

Abdullahi Muhammad, a canoe paddler operating between Moduganari and Damboa Road, described the situation as a “mixed blessing.”

“We’re not happy that the floods have disrupted people’s lives,” he said. “But this has also become a rare opportunity for many of us who were previously unemployed.”

According to him, paddlers earn between ₦10,000 and ₦20,000 daily on weekdays, with slightly lower income on weekends. “It depends on how active the day is, but we usually make enough to support ourselves and our families,” he added.

In Bulumkutu, another paddler, Shaibu Garba, echoed similar sentiments. He said their services have become vital for residents who need help relocating their belongings or simply moving between neighborhoods.

“We’re not working alone,” Garba explained. “We work in shifts and share the earnings at the end of the day. Many of us are married men, so what we earn supports entire households.”

He described the informal structure developing among the paddlers: “At most canoe points, you’ll see groups of young men taking turns. It’s a collaborative effort everyone gets a share.”

Passengers, for the most part, expressed appreciation for the service, citing affordability and convenience.

“If I don’t use the canoe, I’ll have to take a much longer and costlier route,” said Hauwa Saidu. “This saves time and money.”

However, not all commuters are pleased. Usman Salisu, a resident of Moduganari, criticized the inconsistency in fares and alleged price hikes during late hours.

“There’s no standard price,” he complained. “Just two days ago, my brother paid ₦200 around 9 p.m. to cross a flooded road that takes less than three minutes by canoe.”

While the flooding has brought hardship and displacement to many in Maiduguri, for a number of resourceful youth, it has also opened a new economic lifeline—even if only temporarily.