A Multi-Criteria Approach to Flood Risk Assessment in Makurdi Using GIS and the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Flooding in Makurdi, Nigeria, poses a persistent threat, submerging homes, displacing communities, and leaving residents in a constant struggle for survival. Despite numerous flood risk assessments, previous studies have often overlooked critical factors, leading to recurring floods and inadequate tools for preparedness and mitigation. This study presents an integrated approach to flood risk analysis, combining Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Eight critical factors – slope, elevation, rainfall, land use and land cover, river proximity, soil type, drainage density, and road proximity were considered, quantifying their relative importance and validating them using a suitable consistency ratio. Weighted overlay analysis revealed that over 56 % of the region falls within high flood-risk zones. These findings provide actionable insights for enhancing flood preparedness and mitigation planning in Makurdi. Furthermore, the methodology and results apply to similar flood-prone regions globally, offering a framework for scalable and context-specific interventions to inform flood risk management efforts worldwide.