In anticipation of severe flooding forecasted for the 2025 rainy season, 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have launched urgent measures to mitigate what could become a major national disaster affecting over 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The warning, issued Thursday by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, followed the official release of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, identified climate change as a significant catalyst of Nigeria’s recurring floods, warning that both coastal and riverine areas would bear the brunt of increased rainfall and rising sea levels between April and November.
High-risk 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.
“The 2025 AFO reveals that 1,249 communities in 176 LGAs are in high flood-risk areas, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs fall under moderate risk,” Utsev stated.
He noted the compounded risks of flash floods in urban areas driven by intense rainfall, poor drainage infrastructure, and unregulated urban planning, asserting that unlike earthquakes, floods are predictable and preventable if early and effective action is taken.
The AFO represents an evolved strategy, offering granular forecasts targeted at vulnerable communities for better emergency response and local preparedness.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, emphasized that the AFO is not merely statistical but a life-saving tool, urging swift and coordinated responses at all government levels.
NIHSA Director General, Umar Mohammed, highlighted the integration of feedback and modern technology in the agency’s methodology, saying the 2025 forecast incorporates potential sectoral impacts on health, agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
Across the country, governments are responding with a mix of infrastructure development, community sensitization, and inter-agency collaboration.
Anambra State
The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency has raised an alert for residents in 10 high-risk LGAs including Ogbaru, Ayamelum, and Anambra West. Measures include clearing blocked drainage systems and preparing internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
Kwara State
The government has begun expanding the Asa River watercourse to mitigate floods in Ilorin. Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge, urged communities along the river to relocate and avoid dumping waste in waterways.
Ogun State
Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed that all 20 LGAs have received localized flood alerts. The state is dredging parts of the Ogun River and collaborating with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority for controlled water release.
Gombe State
Spokesperson Amos Fabulous said the state’s successful flood prevention in 2024 was due to continuous de-silting of drains and gully erosion control projects. Similar efforts are ongoing.
Delta State
Commissioner Jamani Ejiro confirmed early sensitization and drainage clearance efforts, assuring residents that the government is ahead of the situation.
Nasarawa State
Eight LGAs including Lafia, Doma, and Obi have been identified as high risk. According to Director Danladi Obagu, flood awareness campaigns are active, and temporary shelters are being prepared.
Borno State
Acting DG of the State Emergency Management Agency, Ali Abdullahi, revealed that a flood prevention committee has been operational since January, focusing on sensitization and riverway maintenance.
Bayelsa State
Directorate head Chief Walson Omusu announced the imminent clearing of canals in Yenagoa, targeting obstruction removal ahead of May to address flash flooding.
Bauchi State
SEMA’s Information Officer, Adamu Nayola, affirmed that the agency is rebuilding flood-damaged infrastructure from the last season and actively conducting awareness campaigns in flood-prone areas.
Experts warn that the scale of projected flooding necessitates a coordinated national response, as disruptions are expected in fishing, agriculture, and transportation. The Ministry stressed that the transformation of hydrological data into actionable insights is now critical to Nigeria’s resilience in the face of intensifying climate impacts.
The government urges residents in high-risk areas to remain vigilant, comply with evacuation advisories, and desist from activities that compromise drainage systems.
