The Nigerian government has alerted that 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may face severe flooding between April and November 2025.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The report listed Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, and Jigawa as high flood-risk states.
Other states include Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT.
The minister expressed concerns over rising sea levels, predicting that Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo would experience coastal flooding, which could disrupt fishing, wildlife habitats, and river navigation.
“The 2025 AFO indicates that 1,249 communities in 176 LGAs fall within high flood-risk zones, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs are in **moderate-risk areas,” Utsev stated.
He attributed urban flooding to poor drainage management, blocked waterways, and inadequate flood resilience structures, warning that major cities could experience flash floods due to intense rainfall.
Despite the grim forecast, Utsev emphasised that flooding could be mitigated with proper planning and infrastructure.
“Unlike other natural disasters, floods can be contained. Our forecasts now target specific communities to enhance preparedness at the grassroots level,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, stressed the need for early action, stating, “This outlook isn’t just about numbers; it’s about protecting lives and livelihoods.”
Meanwhile, the Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, explained that this year’s flood forecast adopts a more precise approach, identifying **exact communities at risk rather than just LGAs.
“We are leveraging real-time data, technology, and inter-agency collaboration to improve flood management. Our focus now includes assessing impacts on health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure,” Mohammed added.