Flood Alert: 33 States, FCT to Experience Flooding in 2025 – FG
The Federal Government has raised alarm over impending flood threats, warning that 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high risk in 2025. This warning was made during the official unveiling of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) in Abuja by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev.
According to the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), a total of 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been marked as high-risk flood zones. An additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs across 31 states and the FCT are expected to face moderate flood risks.
States on High Alert
The states listed in the high-risk category include:
Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Flooding Timetable and Impact
The forecast categorizes expected flood events into three phases:
April–June: 657 communities in 52 LGAs will likely experience high flood risk.
July–September: 544 communities in 142 LGAs.
October–November: 484 communities in 56 LGAs.
Moderate flooding is also projected across:
445 communities in 116 LGAs (April–June),
1,458 communities in 271 LGAs (July–September),
1,473 communities in 171 LGAs (October–November).
Major Cities and Coastal Areas on Alert
Urban centers such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan, and Makurdi may experience flash floods, primarily due to inadequate drainage systems and poor infrastructure.
Coastal states, including Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Ogun, Ondo, Cross River, and Lagos, are also expected to face flooding from sea level rise and tidal surges.
FG Rolls Out Mitigation Plans
To address the looming disaster, the minister revealed several proactive measures, including:
Launching the National Flood Insurance Programme (starting in Kogi and Jigawa),
Implementing the Niger Flood Project to enhance river navigation and flood management,
Rolling out an Integrated Climate Resilience Project and an upcoming Annual Drought Outlook.
Prof. Utsev emphasized that the 2025 AFO comes with three components: a general flood forecast, an efficient communication strategy, and a mitigation plan to reduce flood risks.
Community-Level Preparedness Encouraged
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, noted that this year’s forecast targets specific communities rather than broad LGAs, adopting a people-centered approach to flood risk communication. He said the aim is to provide accurate, actionable information that helps protect lives, properties, and livelihoods.
The agency also launched a new Flood and Drought Dashboard to support inter-agency coordination and improve emergency responses.
The government urges Nigerians, especially those living in flood-prone areas, to prepare in advance andP support efforts aimed at building resilient communities.
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