Annual flood Outlook: Floods to hit Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi, 29 other states — FG

—Says 14,118 communities in 266 LGAs’ll be affected

—States, LGs urged to begin early mitigation measures

—What we’re doing to avert disaster — States

By Soni Daniel, Dayo Johnson, Peter Duru, Ndahi Marama, Gabriel Ewepu, Shina Abubakar, Adeola Badru & Idris Salisu

ABUJA – AS the rain begins, the Federal Government in its 2026 annual flood outlook, AFO, released yesterday, raised alarm that flooding would hit no fewer than 33 states of the federation, including Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa and Kebbi.

It also asked states to begin early preparation for the flooding to avert disasters similar to that caused by previous flooding in some parts of the country.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, who released the report at the AFO public presentation organised by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NiHSA, in Abuja, acknowledged that early information saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure and reduces economic losses.

He said, as part of the federal government’s commitment to improve flood forecasts and preparedness, the national hydrological monitoring networks had been modernised.

The minister also said his ministry was strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, to ensure better integration of weather and water information, since it was critical for delivering reliable forecasts that support farmers, disaster managers, urban planners, and other key sectors of the economy.

He said  the AFO was, therefore, not just a scientific report but a call to action by all in terms of preparation ahead of the flood season as early information saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure, and reduces economic losses.

However, he acknowledged that forecasts alone were not sufficient if the information does not translate into action at the community level which, he said, his ministry is working with other relevant government agencies to mitigate impacts of flooding.

The 2026 AFO presentation had in attendance President Bola Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abas Lawal.

Others present were the Federal Ministries, Water Resources and Sanitation; Livestock Development; Environment; and Women Affairs. 

Others include speaker of the House of Representatives, state governments, service chiefs, development partners and the media.

Speaking further, the minister said:  “The 2026 flood forecast presented today (yesterday) provides us with the following general highlights: High Flood Risk: 14,118 communities in 266 Local Government Areas in 33 states and FCT fall within the high flood risk areas. 

‘’The states are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT.

“Moderate Flood Risk: 15,597 Communities in 405 LGAs, 35 states, except Ekiti, will experience moderate flood risk. 

“Low Flood Risk: Incidences of minimal flood is expected in 923 communities in 77 LGAs in 24 states. The states are Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara.

 “Flash and Urban Flooding: Flash and urban flooding are projected in major cities in the country due to high rainfall intensities, low attention to management of water facilities, including drainage systems, waterways and lack of flood resilience structures. 

‘’Cities such as Abakaliki, Abeokuta, Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Birnin–Kebbi, Calabar, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi, Nguru, Onitsha, Osogbo, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Warri and Yola, among others, are to experience these categories of flood incidence.

“Coastal and Riverine Flooding: Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo are to experience coastal flooding due to rise in sea level and tidal surge and this would impact on fishing, wildlife habitation and river navigation.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, NiHSA, said the 2026 AFO aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda in terms of economic diversification, infrastructure development, climate resilience, food security and sustainable water management.

“The AFO has evolved into an important national planning instrument that provides early scientific prediction of flood risks in the country, evidence-based guide for decision-makers and platform for emergency coordination among stakeholders. 

“In producing this year’s forecast, the agency undertook a comprehensive and data-driven process to provide tailored information for high-risk flood zones and flash floods in urban cities and towns.  

“Building on the success achieved through AFO publications, we have upgraded from reporting flood forecast to Flood Risk Intelligence Architecture and from the traditional modelling to Hybrid AI-Integrated Modelling system to improve forecast reliability, reduce false alarms and improve the lead time accuracy,’’ he said.

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NiMET, Prof Charles Anosike, in a goodwill message, acknowledged the devastating effects of flooding Nigerian and other African countries still struggle to contain.

He also said with technology, there had been predictions to mitigate the impacts, adding that NiHSA had done well with the presentation of AFO to protect the nation. 

What we’re doing to avert disaster — Osun govt

On what his state was doing to prepare for the flooding, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, in Osun State, Teslim Igbalaye, said:  “Prior to the release of the report, as a government in Osun, the governor has approved the dredging of some rivers in the towns mentioned in the AFO report and across the State.

“We have also identified some flash point in the state and have started clearing waterways to allow for free flow of waters when it’s rains. This explains the reason there was no flooding after the three downpour we have witnessed so far.

“Some of the rivers we have dredged include Omu river, Okpokpo stream, which are both tributaries of Osun river. We are also dredging the Osun River so to take more water from the others.

“Apart from these ones, many waterways are being cleared to curb flooding, especially as the state government has made an annual exercise to dredge and clear waterways.’’

Ondo

On his part, the Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said:  “The government has carried out continuous channelisation of all the major flood flash points in the state in the last one year.  We are also constructing new bridges and expanding drains to aid free flow of water. 

“There is also sensitisation of residents against dumping waste in drains.  So far, Ondo State has recorded a drastic reduction in flooding incidents in the last one year.’’

Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Ondo State governor on Communication and Strategy, Allen Sowore, said:  “Since the inception of the administration of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State has not experienced any significant flooding. 

“This is no coincidence; it is the result of deliberate, well-planned actions aimed at mitigating flood risks.  Through the consistent clearing of drainages, canals, rivers, and other flood-prone areas, the government has taken proactive steps to safeguard communities and infrastructure, effectively averting the annual flooding that was once widely anticipated.’’ 

Oyo

Also speaking, the Oyo State government said it had intensified preparedness to reduce the impact of possible flooding across the state, following the federal alerts identifying several states as high-risk during the rainy season.

The Secretary of the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency, OYSEMA, Mrs Ojuolape Busari, said:  “We are not waiting for disaster to occur before acting. OYSEMA has intensified public sensitisation across communities, pre-positioned relief materials, and strengthened collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

“Our rapid response teams are on alert, and we are working closely with local emergency committees to ensure early warning messages reach vulnerable areas in good time,” Mrs Busari said.

She added that the agency was also prioritising community awareness, especially in flood-prone settlements, to encourage early evacuation where necessary. pact of heavy rainfall in Oyo State this year.

Benue 

In Benue State, which is blessed with many rivers and prone to severe flooding, the state government has already placed the officials of its disaster management agencies on high alert to avert any challenge from the expected flooding.

Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, BSEMA, Dr. Donald Komgbenda, disclosed that all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, MDAs, had been placed on high alert, while consultations were ongoing.

He said:  “We are in consultation with all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, MDAs, and we have also been sensitising the public on the issue.

“Governor Hyacinth Alia has given serious attention to the construction of drainage systems across the state. Previously, this was a major challenge, but with many drainages now in place, the situation has significantly improved.

“However, should flooding occur, we have designated locations where affected persons can be evacuated.’’

Borno

Borno State government said yesterday it had already flagged off measures to prevent the state from being flooded, given the warning by the federal government.

The Special Adviser on Media to Governor Babagana Zulum, Comrade Dauda Iliya, told Vanguard in Maiduguri that several measures had been activated to keep the state away from the pending flooding.

Mr. Iliya listed the measures to include the dredging of critical points within the river Ngada and Ngadabul, desilting of waterways within the metropolis ahead of the rainy season. And the construction of more drainage networks to ensure free flow of water.

Iliya said the government had also intensified media sensitisation on the menace of blocking water channels in the state and pleaded with the citizens to clear every flood drains nearest to them.

Zamfara

Following the alarm, Zamfara State government has unveiled a series of proactive measures to protect communities, infrastructure and properties of the local government areas likely to be affected by flood.

The Director of Disaster Management at the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency, ZEMA, Alhaji Hassan Dauran, said the state government had taken precautionary measures to avert the widespread occurrence of flooding and its impact on vulnerable communities across the state.

Dauran, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the agency, Amb. Ahmed Bala, pointed out that the state emergency management agency had given priority attention to the control of flooding in the state.

He said:   “ZEMA has ramped up mitigation efforts in the flood-prone areas, especially the local government areas of Gusau, Shinkafi, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Bungudu, Anka, Talata-Mafara, and all other areas that usually experience flood in the past.”

Kebbi State

Kebbi State government also said  it had put in place preventive measures to avert the looming flooding in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Alhaji Abdulllahi Idris Zuru, said long before the flood warning, Governor Nasir Idris had directed relevant bodies to hasten the evacuation of drainage channels that might obstruct the free flow of rain water.

Zuru said:  “Kebbi already concluded arrangements to confront flooding across the potential flood threat.’’

Similarly, the Chairman of Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Muhammad Bello Yakubu, said the agency had set up rapid response committee, comprising trained rescuers and distributed life jackets procured by the state government to people living near flood-prone areas.

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