Flooding nightmare: 30 states sentence to flooding- government powerless

The Federal Government has warned that 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas are at high risk of flooding.

This warning came on thursday during the public presentation of the 2025 annual flood outlook (AFO) in Abuja.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, raised the alarm at the event.

He said the projection was based on scientific analysis by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

According to him, flooding will occur between April and November across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Utsev listed Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, and Anambra among the states likely to experience heavy flooding.

Others include Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, and Ebonyi states.

He added that Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos and Nasarawa are also on the high-risk list.

More states affected are Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

The Federal Capital Territory was not spared in the latest projection.

Prof Utsev described flooding as one of the most devastating natural disasters affecting Nigeria annually.

He noted that climate change is making the situation worse through rising sea levels and tidal surges.

According to him, coastal areas like Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos and Rivers will be particularly affected by rising tides.

The minister said fishing, agriculture, wildlife and navigation would all be impacted by this development.

He revealed that 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs are under moderate flood risk across all 36 states and FCT.

He warned of flash and urban floods in major cities due to poor drainage and weak water infrastructure.

Utsev emphasized the need for better planning and infrastructure to control flood impact.

He said forecasts are now specific to communities, not just general state-level predictions.

The approach, he explained, enhances early warnings and grassroots preparedness across the country.

Permanent Secretary Richard Pheelangwah stressed the importance of early response and public awareness.

“This outlook is about saving lives and livelihoods, not just presenting statistics,” he noted.

NIHSA’s Director-General, Umar Mohammed, said the 2025 forecast is more detailed and precise.

He explained that communities at risk are now clearly mapped, not just LGAs.

Mohammed attributed the improvements to technological advancements and inter-agency collaboration.

He added that the data now supports decision-making in health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.

“We’re turning flood data into real-time actions and resilience strategies,” he said.

The 2025 flood outlook, he added, marks a shift to science-driven planning and proactive engagement.

It also empowers communities to prepare ahead and reduce disaster impact.

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