The Nigerian government has warned of severe flooding in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between April and November 2025. The warning affects 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The affected states include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, expressed concerns over rising sea levels, predicting coastal flooding in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo. This could disrupt fishing, wildlife habitats, and river navigation.
The government is taking steps to mitigate the effects of flooding. “Unlike other natural disasters, floods can be contained. Our forecasts now target specific communities to enhance preparedness at the grassroots level,” Utsev said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, emphasized the need for early action, stating, “This outlook isn’t just about numbers; it’s about protecting lives and livelihoods.”
The Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, explained that this year’s flood forecast adopts a more precise approach, identifying exact communities at risk rather than just LGAs. “We are leveraging real-time data, technology, and inter-agency collaboration to improve flood management. Our focus now includes assessing impacts on health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure,” Mohammed added.
