• 321 deaths recorded, 1,373,699 people affected in 2024, says govt
From Okwe Obi and Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned that 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas in 33 states and the FCT fall within the high flood-risk areas in 2025.
The warning was issued during the official presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, in Abuja.
According to the forecast, an additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs across 31 states and the FCT are expected to experience moderate flood risk 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.
Utsev noted that floods are among the most devastating natural disasters affecting lives, property, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has revealed that 321 deaths were recorded in the 2024 flooding, while 1,373,699 people were affected in 217 LGAs in 34 states.
The government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also disclosed that 740,734 were displaced and 2,854 persons suffered various degrees of injuries with thousands of hectares of cultivated farmlands either washed away or completely inundated by flood waters.
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.”
The minister has said the 2025 forecast is aimed at raising awareness and encouraging preparedness among citizens, particularly in vulnerable communities.
He said this year’s theme on community preparedness and adaptation is timely, given the recurring floods and their impact on livelihoods and infrastructure.
The minister explained that the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook has been segmented into three parts to enhance flood preparedness.
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 flash and urban flooding are expected in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Makurdi, largely due to poor drainage and weak infrastructure.
According to him, coastal states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo may also experience flooding caused by rising sea levels and tidal surges, posing a threat to livelihoods and river-based activities.
Utsev announced initiatives such as a National Flood Insurance Programme, to be piloted in Kogi and Jigawa states, and the Niger Flood Project to boost river navigation, flood control, and climate resilience.
He highlighted plans to launch an Integrated Climate Resilience Project and the forthcoming Annual Drought Outlook.
Utsev urged stakeholders to support government efforts in building flood-resilient communities and affirming the Federal Government’s commitment to proactive flood management.
Earlier, the NIHSA Director-General Umar Mohammed emphasised the agency’s commitment to using advanced technologies and fostering inter-agency collaboration to deliver accurate and timely flood forecasts.
Mohammed explained that this year’s forecast adopts a more community-focused approach, extending beyond local government areas to identify specific at-risk communities.
“Our aim is to equip decision-makers with actionable information to protect lives, livelihoods, and property.”
He added that the outlook identifies flood-prone states, local government areas, and communities, while also assessing impacts on sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, transport, and water quality.
According to Mohammed, the goal is to strengthen community resilience and support proactive flood management strategies across the country.
Key highlights of the event included the formal presentation of the NIHSA Flood and Drought Dashboard and the unveiling of the National Flood Insurance Programme.