The Nigerian government warns Adamawa, Lagos, 31 others who are at risk of flooding

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has warned that 1,249 communities in 176 regional regions (LGA) in 33 states and the Federal Capital City (FCT) were within high flood risk areas in 2025.

The Minister gave a warning during the official presentation of the 2025 annual flood outlook (AFO) released by the Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency (Nihsa on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the Minister, an additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGA in 31 states and FCT were expected to experience moderate floods this year.

Countries identified in the high-risk categories are-Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, and IMO.

The other is; Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

Utsev notes that flooding is one of the most destroying natural disasters that affects life, property, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He said the 2025 prediction was aimed at raising awareness and encouraging readiness among citizens, especially in vulnerable communities.

The Minister explained that the prospect of 2025 annual floods had been segmented into three parts to increase flood preparedness.

Also read: Get ready for heavy rain, potential floods, the government warns people Lagosians

This includes general flood forecasts, communication strategies for effective warning dissemination, and mitigation plans to reduce exposure and vulnerability.

He said: “According to estimates, 657 communities in 52 LGA are expected to experience a high risk of flooding between April and June.

“544 communities in 142 LGA between July and September, and 484 communities in 56 LGA from October to November.

“The risk of floods is being projected for 445 communities in 116 LGA from April to June, 1,458 communities in 271 LGA from July to September, and 1,473 communities in 171 LGA between October and November.”

Utsev said flash and urban floods were expected in big cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Makurdi, mostly due to poor drainage and weak infrastructure.

He stressed that coastal countries such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, River, and Ondo can also experience floods caused by rising sea levels and tides, a threat to livelihoods and river-based activities.

Join the conversation

Opinion

Supports Nigeria’s ripples, resistant Journalism Solutions

A balanced and fearful journalism that is driven by data comes with enormous financial costs.

As a media platform, we ask for leadership accountability and will not trade the right to suppress freedom and freedom of speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and ready to uphold journalism solutions, friendly Nigerian ripples cause.

Your support will help ensure that residents and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for community development.

Donation now