A major environmental threat is on the horizon as the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a stark warning: 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory are at high risk of devastating floods in 2025. This was revealed during the launch of the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) in Abuja on Thursday.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, unveiled the sobering forecast, identifying 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas as high-risk flood zones. An additional 2,187 communities in 31 states are classified under moderate risk.
“Flooding remains one of the most destructive natural disasters, and proactive planning is non-negotiable,” the minister said. With seasonal projections structured into three phases—April to June, July to September, and October to November—authorities are urging state and local governments to embrace early mitigation measures.
Major urban centers like Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan are expected to experience urban flash floods due to heavy rainfall and poor drainage. Coastal and riverine states such as Delta, Ogun, Bayelsa, and Ondo may also face rising sea levels and tidal surges.
To build national resilience, the government announced the rollout of several initiatives, including a pilot National Flood Insurance Programme, climate resilience innovations, and the Niger Flood Project. NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Ibrahim Muhammed, emphasized the role of technology and data-driven planning, noting that sector-specific risk assessments have also been conducted to help protect agriculture, infrastructure, health, and education sectors.
