The Federal Government has issued a fresh flood warning across Nigeria, recalling the devastating impacts of previous incidents, as it unveiled the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) projecting widespread inundation in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
At the public presentation in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, said memories of past flood disasters—marked by loss of lives, displacement of communities, and destruction of farmlands and infrastructure—underscore the urgency of early preparedness.
The outlook, released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, listed high-risk states to include Bayelsa State, Delta State, Adamawa State and Kebbi State, alongside 29 others, with over 14,000 communities in 266 local government areas projected to experience severe flooding.
Utsev warned that the forecast must not be treated as routine, noting that previous flood seasons left a trail of humanitarian crises and economic setbacks across the country. “Early information saves lives, protects livelihoods and reduces losses,” he said, stressing that forecasts must translate into concrete action at community level.
The minister disclosed ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s hydrological monitoring systems and deepen collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to improve the accuracy and timeliness of flood predictions.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the flood outlook aligns with the administration’s broader push for climate resilience and sustainable development.
According to the report, moderate flood risk is expected in 35 states, while flash and urban flooding will hit major cities including Port Harcourt, Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja, largely due to poor drainage systems and increasing rainfall intensity.
Coastal and riverine flooding is also anticipated in states such as Rivers State, Cross River State and Ogun State, driven by rising sea levels and tidal surges, with potential consequences for fishing, transportation and coastal livelihoods.
Director-General of NiHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said the 2026 forecast marks a shift toward advanced flood risk intelligence, incorporating hybrid AI-driven modelling to improve accuracy and response time. He added that the agency has upgraded its flood dashboard into a real-time decision-support system, alongside a mobile application to disseminate alerts more effectively.
Also speaking, Director-General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, noted that flooding remains one of the most persistent climate-related threats in Nigeria and across Africa, despite technological progress in forecasting.
The government called on state and local authorities to integrate flood risk into urban planning, strengthen drainage infrastructure, and enforce proper land-use practices, particularly in flood-prone areas.
“Preparedness remains the most effective strategy,” Utsev said. “If we fail to act on these warnings, we risk repeating the painful losses of the past.”
