According to a warning from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), 1,249 communities spread across 176 local government areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory are considered to be at high risk of flooding in 2025.
The warning was given in Abuja when Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, formally presented the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO).
The prediction states that there will be a moderate risk of flooding in 2,187 more communities spread across 293 LGAs in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory this year.
States identified in the high-risk category include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the FCT, Gombe Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
Floods are one of the most destructive natural disasters, impacting infrastructure, agriculture, property, and lives, according to Utsev.
In the meantime, the federal government disclosed that 1,373,699 people were impacted in 217 LGAs across 34 states, and 321 fatalities were reported during the 2024 flooding.
Through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the government also revealed that thousands of hectares of farmed farmlands were either washed away or totally submerged by flood waters, resulting in 740,734 people being displaced and 2,854 people suffering from various degrees of injuries.
NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar, spoke yesterday, during a national workshop on disaster risk financing, in Abuja.
“During the 2024 rainy season, the incident dashboard of the NEMA Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) indicated that 217 Local Government Areas in 34 State of Nigeria are affected by flood disaster.
“A total of 1,373,699 persons were affected by the floods while 740,734 are displaced in addition to 321 recorded mortalities.
“Furthermore, a record 2,854 persons suffered various degrees of injuries with thousands of hectares of cultivated farmlands either washed away or completely inundated by flood waters.
“In Nigeria, the situation has become more complex with the protracted insurgency, banditry and communal conflicts in some states of the federation.
“This has made it imperative for NEMA to explore risk financing options that will guarantee early recovery and business continuity in the aftermath of socio-economic dislocations as a result of disasters.
“It is our firm belief that this paradigm shift has become more imperative in the face of dwindling resources for disaster recovery in addition to other equally important and yet competing demands on government.”
Umar reiterated NEMA’s commitment “to avail the insurance industry our damage and loss assessment reports including historic data on disaster losses across Nigeria to help drive this laudable risk transfer initiative.”
According to the minister, the goal of the 2025 forecast is to increase public awareness and promote readiness, especially in communities that are already at risk.
He claimed that considering the frequent floods and their effects on infrastructure and livelihoods, this year’s theme of community adaptation and readiness is relevant.
The minister clarified that in order to improve flood preparedness, the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook has been divided into three sections.
These include a general flood forecast, a communication strategy for effective warning dissemination, and a mitigation plan to reduce exposure and vulnerability.
“According to the forecast, 657 communities in 52 LGAs are expected to experience high flood risk between April and June. 544 communities in 142 LGAs between July and September; and 484 communities in 56 LGAs from October to November. Moderate flood risk is projected for 445 communities in 116 LGAs from April to June, 1,458 communities in 271 LGAs from July to September, and 1,473 communities in 171 LGAs between October and November.”
He said that because of inadequate drainage and shoddy infrastructure, flash and urban flooding are anticipated in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Makurdi.
He claims that rising sea levels and tidal surges could also cause flooding in coastal states like Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo, endangering livelihoods and river-based activities.
Utsev unveiled plans to improve river navigation, flood control, and climate resilience, including the Niger Flood Project and a National Flood Insurance Program that will be tested in the states of Kogi and Jigawa.
He highlighted the upcoming Annual Drought Outlook and plans to start an Integrated Climate Resilience Project.
Utsev reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to proactive flood management and urged stakeholders to support government initiatives to create communities that are resilient to flooding.
In order to provide precise and timely flood forecasts, NIHSA Director-General Umar Mohammed previously emphasized the agency’s dedication to utilizing cutting-edge technologies and encouraging interagency cooperation.
According to Mohammed, this year’s forecast takes a more community-focused stance, identifying particular at-risk communities outside of local government jurisdictions.
“Our aim is to equip decision-makers with actionable information to protect lives, livelihoods, and property.”
In addition, he said, the outlook identifies communities, local government areas, and states that are vulnerable to flooding. It also evaluates the effects on health care, education, agriculture, transportation, and water quality.
The objective, according to Mohammed, is to promote proactive flood management techniques nationwide and increase community resilience.
Two of the event’s main highlights were the National Flood Insurance Program’s launch and the official presentation of the NIHSA Flood and Drought Dashboard.
