Flood Alert: 30 States, FCT at High Risk — Water Ministry

The federal government has warned of potential flooding across Nigeria, stating that 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high risk this year.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) reported that 1,249 communities in 176 local government areas fall within high-risk flood zones. Another 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs are expected to face moderate flooding.

This was announced Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, during the presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO).

Utsev called flooding one of the most frequent and deadly natural disasters in Nigeria, citing the influence of climate change. He mentioned states such as Abia, Benue, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Jigawa among those expected to face severe flooding.

NIHSA is introducing a localized approach to flood forecasting. The method includes community-based predictions to provide residents with specific alerts.

“Early warnings only work when people understand and can act on them,” Utsev said. “That’s why this year’s forecast is not just seasonal, but tailored to individual communities.”

The minister also announced several projects, including the National Flood Insurance Programme (NFIP), which will be piloted in Kogi and Jigawa states to provide coverage for households, farmlands, and livestock.

Other initiatives include the Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project (I-CRIP) and the NigerFLOOD Project, focused on managing food security, water, energy, and river basins.

In 2024, floods killed 321 people, affected over 1.37 million, and displaced more than 740,000 across the country.

Authorities are calling on residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert and take necessary precautions as the rainy season nears.

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