By Maduka Nweke
With the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) recently warning Nigerians that about 33 States risk devastation by heavy floods as the rains come, builders have said that the time has come to enforce building standards and ensure drainages are unclogged.
NIHSA said that about 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) fall within the high flood-risk areas in 2025.
As Nigerians brace for what experts predict will be a wetter-than-usual year, stakeholders are urging citizens to prepare proactively to avoid the devastating losses experienced during last year’s floods.
Speaking to The Sun, Mr. Chima Odogwu, an official with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) in Onitsha, cautioned against poor environmental habits, particularly the disposal of waste into drains and water channels. “When people throw debris into gutters, it clogs the drainage systems and worsens flooding in our communities,” he warned. “What recently happened in Kogi should be a wake-up call. If drainages are blocked, floodwater is more likely to enter homes. That’s when people begin to blame the government for inaction. But since they already know the government may not come to their aid, citizens must help themselves.”
In Anambra State, where flooding remains a persistent threat, residents are equally concerned. Mr. Sunday Obodoeze, a resident of Otuocha in Anambra East Local Government Area, noted that communities in Anambra North are particularly vulnerable. “We need to be very careful about how we dispose of our waste here,” he said. “Flooding has caused a lot of destruction in residential homes. I advise farmers to be vigilant and harvest their crops early to avoid losses from rising waters.”
These warnings come as the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, unveiled the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) in Abuja. Presenting the forecast, Minister Joseph Utsev revealed that over 2,100 communities across 293 local government areas in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory face moderate flood risk this year.
States categorized as high-risk 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.
“Floods remain among the most destructive natural disasters, affecting lives, infrastructure, agriculture, and property,” Utsev said. He explained that the 2025 forecast, with the theme “Community Preparedness and Adaptation,” is designed to raise awareness and foster resilience, especially in the most vulnerable areas.
The minister outlined a three-pronged strategy built into the Annual Flood Outlook: a general flood forecast, a communication strategy for timely and effective warnings, and a mitigation plan to reduce exposure. According to the data, 657 communities in 52 LGAs will face 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 risk levels are expected for 445 communities in 116 LGAs between April and June, rising to 1,458 communities across 271 LGAs from July to September, and 1,473 communities in 171 LGAs from October to November. Urban and flash floods are anticipated in major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Makurdi, primarily due to inadequate drainage and decaying infrastructure.
Utsev also pointed to threats posed by sea-level rise and tidal surges in coastal states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Anambra, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo. He unveiled new initiatives, including the National Flood Insurance Programme—set to launch in Kogi and Jigawa—as well as the Niger Flood Project, which aims to improve river navigation, enhance flood control, and strengthen climate resilience.
In addition, the government is planning an Integrated Climate Resilience Project and is preparing to launch the Annual Drought Outlook.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Umar Mohammed, highlighted the agency’s efforts to integrate advanced forecasting technologies and strengthen inter-agency coordination. “This year’s outlook has a stronger community focus,” Mohammed explained. “It goes beyond LGAs to identify at-risk communities directly, providing actionable information to decision-makers to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure.”
He emphasized that the forecast addresses multiple sectors—including health, education, transportation, agriculture, and water quality—while reaffirming NIHSA’s commitment to proactive, science-based flood management.
The event also featured the unveiling of the NIHSA Flood and Drought Dashboard and the formal launch of the National Flood Insurance Programme. Goodwill messages came from key stakeholders, including representatives from the World Meteorological Organisation and the National Water Resources Institute in Kaduna.