The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) listed 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as experiencing severe flooding based on the 2025 seasonal climate prediction from the Nigerian Meteorological Services (NiMET), which stated that the country would see an average annual rainfall of approximately 1936 mm.
The agency said that its forecast for the year is based on the neutral phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which is expected to persist for the first six to eight months of the year.
The Federal Government responded to this event by announcing plans to launch a countrywide campaign to inform people about flood hazards and safety precautions starting next month.
Sunday Sun correspondents provide situation reports from the affected states across the country in response to NIHSA’s announcement, which urged the affected states to take action to get ready for the impending massive flooding. A passage
Lagos State is one of those identified by NIHSA in the flooding notice which it released. Lagos State is affected by the ENSO phenomena in three ways: the rainy season begins earlier than usual, lasts longer than usual, and ends later than expected.
He also said “strong winds are expected during the onset and end of each rainy season, lives and properties may be at risk. Disruptions to commercial activities, flight delays, and resulting revenue losses could also occur.”
The state government said it has set up a network of weather stations and river gauge stations to monitor weather and river levels in the state and improve readiness for weather-and flood-related concerns as part of its efforts to mitigate the possible impact of floods throughout the state.
Together with managing solid waste in the state, Sunday Sun also learned that the state has put the wheels in motion for an annual drainage maintenance program that aims to achieve effective and efficient flood management. The Emergency Flood Abatement Gang, EFAG, results also reveal has been fully mobilized to work all-year round, providing proactive flood control measures across the state.
Based on the long-standing synergy and partnership, the state also plans to maintain its relationship and partnership with the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), which has previously assisted in closely monitoring rainfall, dam releases, river water level, and flows from neighboring states of Ogun and Osun. This will help to ensure that the steady and systematic release of water from Oyan Dam is controlled and monitored in order to prevent flooding of the downstream reaches of the Ogun River.
Other state-initiated programs of action include the activation of emergency response organizations, traffic management organizations, and other emergency-related organizations to help mitigate the damaging effects of heavy rainfall in the state; awareness campaigns to prevent flooding hazards; and close monitoring of low-lying areas of Agiliti, Agboyi, Itowolo, and Ajegunle communities in Lagos State for the likelihood of the Ogun River overflowing its banks as well as all other river basins in the state.
