Several states across the country, including Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in the North-East,
Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa in the North West, and Ekiti, Ondo and Osun in the South West have embarked on various measures to contain possible high volume of flooding.
The move became necessary following the 2025 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which warned of heavy rainfall in 30 states.
In separate interviews, officials of the states said the measures include channelisation projects, drain construction, dredging of waterways and de-silting and clearing drains.
Others are demolition of buildings on waterways, relocating flood-prone communities and enhancing collaboration between local and federal agencies.
The governments advised residents to maintain a clean and safe environment and refrain from dumping of wastes in drains and waterways.
In the North East, officials from the three states said proactive measures were already being adopted ahead of the rainy season.
Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), Dr Mohammed Goje, said the agency had activated its early warning systems and community sensitisation efforts across vulnerable local government areas.
“We have commenced a series of sensitisation campaigns in local languages across flood-prone communities, especially in Bade, Jakusko and Nguru.
“We are also coordinating with local governments and traditional institutions to enforce environmental sanitation and clear blocked waterways,” Goje said.
The Ministry of Environment in Yobe has further confirmed that de-silting of major drainages in Damaturu, Potiskum and Gashua was ongoing.
Alhaji Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa, Commissioner for Environment, said the government had also constituted a task force to monitor compliance with waste disposal regulations.
Similarly, the Adamawa State Government and relevant emergency agencies have intensified efforts to prevent and mitigate flood disasters.
Permanent Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Dr Celine Laori, urged stakeholders to embark on massive sensitisation campaigns to raise awareness and prepare residents to respond appropriately to flood threats.
“We are not taking chances this year. Our teams are on the ground carrying out community engagement and have stockpiled relief materials in case of emergencies.
“We advised residents in flood-prone communities to begin relocating to higher grounds to safeguard their lives and property,” Laori said.
She said de-silting of major drainages in Yola North, Yola South and Numan local government areas had begun, with support from the Ministry of Environment.
Also speaking, Director of Hydrology, Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Mennas Ngangurah, confirmed that water levels in River Benue and its tributaries were being closely monitored.
He said the exercise was in collaboration with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
“We have installed flood gauges in strategic locations. Our collaboration with NIHSA and NiMet ensures accurate data sharing and timely intervention in the case of flooding,” he added.
Unlike Yobe and Adamawa, residents in Borno have expressed worry over the delay in Alau Dam reconstruction with the rainy season expected in the coming weeks.
The Federal Government had flagged off the reconstruction of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri about two months ago.
However, work has come to a standstill, leaving residents increasingly fearful as the rainy season approaches.
The delay has triggered concerns, with many urging the government to resume the reconstruction work urgently to avoid a repeat of last year’s flood disaster.
In 2024, the collapse of the dam due to heavy rains exacerbated flooding, causing widespread destruction in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
Many residents, especially those who rely on the dam for irrigation during the dry season, are now expressing their frustration and fear that the stalled project could lead to further damage.
In March 2025, the Federal Government announced an N80 billion budget for the Dam’s reconstruction, which was meant to mitigate flooding risks and provide a reliable source of water for local farmers.
However, as the rainy season rapidly approaches, there are no signs of progress at the construction site, prompting growing anxiety among residents.
“We were all hopeful when the government announced the reconstruction, but now we see no visible progress at the site. The situation is frightening for us. If work doesn’t resume soon, we risk facing another disastrous flood,” said Ibrahim Amarawa, a concerned resident of Maiduguri.
Civil society groups, such as the Yobe Climate Watch, have also begun community outreach and educational campaigns.
In Ondo State, Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Emergency Response, Mr Wellington Adebawo, said the government had put several measures in place to prevent communities from flood, as well as preventing human and material loss.
Adebawo disclosed that the government had initiated a coordinated multi-agency effort aimed at mitigating the impact of potential flooding across the state, explaining that the efforts were in conjunction with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
He listed some of the efforts as community awareness campaigns, de-silting of waterways, early warning and monitoring system, emergency preparedness and response training and strategic partnerships.
“We are not leaving anything to chance. Our goal is to prevent avoidable loss of life and property by taking early science-based and community-focused actions.”
Adebawo also said first responders and volunteers had undergone refresher training to enhance their capacity in managing flood emergencies, including evacuation, first aid and temporary shelter setup.
Similarly, Mr Richard Oyegbami, Permanent Secretary, Osun State Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, told NAN that precautionary measures had been put in place towards flood prevention and control in the state.
Oyegbami said the state government had embarked on dredging of the canals and waterways across the state to prevent floods.
He explained that in addition to dredging, the state government was running an enlightenment programme on the radio on the dangers of dumping wastes in the water channels.
He stressed that the ministry has also set up a task-force to apprehend anyone dumping waste indiscriminately in the state.
In the same vein, Ekiti State Government has assured of plans to prevent flooding during the rainy season, with both short and long term solutions being diligently considered.
Commissioner for Environment, Mrs Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko, said the precautionary measures include dredging of all waterways, widening of canals and implementing environmental regulations.
According to Ajisafe-Aluko, the state government is also focusing on raising public awareness about avoiding indiscriminate dumping of wastes and building on waterways.
Similarly, the Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency (EKSEPA), disclosed that the ongoing dredging of waterways at Alapo Igo Lane 5, in Ido-Ekiti and Otun-Ekiti had been completed as part of efforts to prevent flooding in Ekiti communities.
Chairman of the agency, Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, said: “I am delighted to announce that the dredging of the waterways at Alamo Igo Lane 5, in Ido-Ekiti, Ijemu and Inisa streets in Otun-Ekiti, has been completed.
The EKSEPA boss appealed to residents to desist from dumping refuse in the waterways, building on canals and to embrace good hygiene.
Stakeholders in the environment sector have also intensified sensitisation activities to create awareness to the dangers and mitigation measures to avert perennial flooding in Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa states.
The state governments, in partnership with the Federal Government and development organisations, also initiated viable environmental control measures to mitigate the disaster.
Director, Relief and Rehabilitation in Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Ibrahim Nalado, said the agency was conducting sensitisation activities in three flood areas to be impacted more this season.
According to Nalado, the agency, in collaboration with stakeholders, is conducting awareness creation on the disaster in Funakaye, Yamaltu/Deba and Dukku, to mitigate its impacts.
Similarly, Jigawa State Government has deployed amphibious excavators to de-silt Hadejia River and other water bodies to mitigate flooding in the state.
The excavators were being used in dredging and clearing typhar grass ravaging the river.
Chairman, Jigawa Committee on Flood Control, Mr Hamza Muhammad, said the state government had adopted proactive measures to avert flooding.
He said the measure was necessary to effectively respond to the disaster based on NiMet predictions.
Similarly, the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the state government adopted proactive measures to mitigate the recurrent disaster in the state.
Director, Relief and Rehabilitation of the agency, Mr Neyola Adamu, said the NiMet’s SCP outlook did not indicate a specific area to be hit by the disaster this season.
“NiMet SCP indicates that 14 LGAs will experience drought for about 21 days within the months of June, July and August.
“We, however, advised communities in lowlands to vacate to higher grounds,” he said.