30 States, FCT are at risk of flooding this year – NISHA

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has said that 30 States including FCT are at risk of experiencing flooding this year.

The Minister of Water Resources and sanitation, Joseph Utsev disclosed this during the public presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja.

The high-flood risk states are: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory.

Utsev stated that coastal and riverine flooding would be experienced in some parts of the South-South geopolitical zone of the country due to a rise in sea level

He noted that States like Borno, Jigawa, Adamawa, and Zamfara—as highly vulnerable between April and November.

As Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged heatwave with soaring temperatures, fresh alerts from federal authorities have identified the region among the areas most at risk of severe flooding in the coming months.

Also the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recently issued a heat stress warning for 18 northern states, including Kano, Borno, Sokoto, and the FCT, noting that temperatures could reach up to 40°C.

The agency attributed the weather condition to high humidity and clear skies following a few days of rainfall, urging residents to take preventive health measures.

Speaking to Daily Post, an Environmental expert, Professor Aliyu Nabegu, emphasized the importance of heeding flood warnings, saying “Flood alerts are meant to call the attention of the public to do the needful, but many don’t listen.

“Most environmental devastations are caused by human activity. Some people refuse to provide proper drainage for their properties or even unclog the existing ones, and water will find a way for itself if you block its path, leading to flooding.”

He called on individuals and communities to start making necessary preparations in light of the current predictions, stressing that early action could prevent a repeat of last year’s devastation.

Speaking on the extreme heatwave, Professor Nabegu called for a more introspective approach to climate change, pointing to deforestation as a major contributor. “Every day more trees are being felled for wood or other activities. Sadly, this is contributing to the excessive heat.

“The public should adopt environmentally conscious habits while the government provides affordable and sustainable alternatives to wood fuel.”

Furthermore, the federal authorities have announced several initiatives, including a National Flood Insurance Programme (NFIP) and an Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project (I-CRIP), to mitigate climate impacts and improve emergency response.

The Niger Flood Project, another major effort, is expected to enhance flood control and river management across several states.

As these intervention are awaited, local governments and communities are urged to invest in improved drainage systems, and enforce environmental regulations.

It would be recalled that in 2024, many of the aforementioned states experienced severe devastation flooding. One of the most tragic incidents occurred in Borno State with the collapse of the Alau Dam, resulting in the reported deaths of over 150 persons and extensive damage in Maiduguri and Jere LGAs.

Across other states like Benue, Kebbi, and Kogi, flood swept away homes, farmlands, and livelihoods.