the Federal Government has predicted heavy rains and flooding in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, between April and November this year. The high-flood risk states are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe and Imo. The rest include Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, who made the disclosure during the unveiling of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, added that coastal and riverine areas such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo will face additional challenges from rising sea levels and tidal surges, impacting fishing, wildlife habitation and river navigation.
According to the prediction, 1,249 communities in 176 Local Government Areas in 30 States and FCT fall within the High Flood Risk Areas, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs in 36 states of the federation and the FCT fall within the Moderate Flood Risk Areas. It stated; “Flash and urban flooding are projected in major cities in the country due to high rainfall intensities, low attention to the management of water facilities, including drainage systems, waterways and lack of flood resilience structures.”
The alert by the Minister is disturbing but not surprising. Flooding remains one of the most devastating natural disasters in Nigeria with climate change accelerating its frequency and severity. Flooding has become a perennial problem in the country. Every year, many states and communities are affected, with huge costs in human and material losses. Much of the flooding has been attributed to heavy rains and the release of dam water from neighboring countries, particularly Cameroon. Failure to adequately prepare for climate change is also a contributory factor to the disaster. This is due to the non-implementation of environmental guidelines, lack of preventive infrastructure and the unhealthy attitude in tackling the flood menace.
Between August and September 2024, no fewer than 4,167 houses and farmlands were destroyed by flood in Gombe and Yobe states. According to Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, at least 2,517 houses and shops were destroyed by flood which ravaged 33 communities in the state. The worst-hit communities were in Dukku, Funakaye and Billiri local government areas of the state. In Dukku LGA, 10 communities were affected, 20 in Funakaye LGA, and three communities in Billiri LGA.
In similar pathetic note, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency, lamented that 1,650 houses were destroyed in Jajere and Yunusari towns of the state. About 413 households were displaced in parts for the state affected by the flash flood. Within the same period, flooding destroyed goods and property worth millions of naira at the Afia Ekwe Building Materials Market, Ogidi/Ogbunike, in the Idemili North/Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. Other parts of the country were affected in various forms.
The prediction by the minister is therefore a wake-up on states, councils and communities to act early enough. There is need for remedial measures to secure the citizens from the floods. Desilting the drains and opening the water channels, remains a major strategy.
Aggressive enlightenment campaigns need to be embarked upon by relevant government agencies on the need for proactive actions against the menace. Those living in the littoral regions should be encouraged to move to the upland to avoid being caught up by the floods. All the governments of the frontline states should relocate communities at risk of flooding, identify safe higher grounds for their evacuation and make adequate provision for their feeding and other needs.
There is need for the federal government and flood-prone states to engage in mitigating efforts to help minimise the impacts of the flood. Dams should be constructed to conserve the flood water and harness same for farming and irrigation purposes. Also, water/flood barriers should be erected to minimise the movement of flood. Every state has its peculiar challenge and factor responsible for flooding. Necessary preventive measures should be adopted to tackle the menace.
Prevention and control of flooding require institutional and attitudinal approaches. Let the government take necessary steps to ensure that water channels are left open always. Property owners and developers should desist from embarking on any form of physical development without adherence to processes and procedures outlined by the government.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant bodies should act early enough to put the mitigating measures in place. Early warning alarm and enlightenment campaigns should be intensified. All hands should be on deck to mitigate the impact of this year’s flooding.