Floods
FG Warns of Heavy Rains, Floods in 30 States, FCT
The Federal Government has issued a warning about impending heavy rainfall and flooding in 30 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, disclosed this during the public presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in Abuja.
The most vulnerable 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.
Utsev highlighted that coastal and riverine flooding is expected in parts of the South-South region due to rising sea levels, particularly affecting Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers, while Akwa Ibom and Edo are classified as high-risk areas.
The minister noted that **1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs)** in 30 states and the FCT are at high risk, with an additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs facing moderate flood threats. Key hotspots include Abia, Benue, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Jigawa.
This year’s AFO introduces a community-based flood forecasting approach, providing localized predictions to improve preparedness and response at the grassroots level.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, urged stakeholders to act swiftly, emphasizing that the report is “not just about numbers but protecting lives and livelihoods.”
NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, added that the 2025 forecast now pinpoints specific at-risk communities and assesses impacts on health, agriculture, education, and infrastructure to aid policymakers and disaster managers.
The government’s warning underscores the need for immediate action to mitigate potential devastation from the upcoming floods.
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