*Says 1,249 Communities In 176 LGAs To Be Affected As High Flood Risk Areas
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev on Thursday disclosed that that 30 States and the FCT has fallen under High Flood Risk Areas In the year 2025.
In the states and the FCT, he said, that 1,249 Communities In 176 LGAs will be affected.
It was themed "Flood Resilience: Focusing On Communities Preparedness And Adaptive Strategies For Flood Management"
Presenting the General Highlights of the 2025 Flood Forecast, the Minister said "The 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) shows that 1,249 communities in 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 30 States and FCT fall within the High Flood Risk Areas, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs in 36 States of the Federation and the FCT fall within the Moderate Flood Risk Areas.
"The High Flood Risk States are: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa bom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory."
According to him, the High Flood Risk Areas will be affected between the months of April and November, 2025.
The flood level in the category, he said, is expected to be high in terms of impact on the population, agriculture, livelihoods, livestock and infrastructure, and the environment.
Giving further breakdown, he said "This year, 666 communities in 52 LGAs in14 States fall within the High Flood Risk areas in the months of April, May and June; while 549 communities in 114 LGAs in 30 States in the months of July, August and September; and 489 communities in 56 LGAs in 13 State in the months of October and November, 2025 are within the High Flood Risk zones."
He disclosed that the details of the LGAs and their corresponding States covering the entire nation are contained in the AFO publication.
The Minister said that the Moderate Flood Risk Areas are between the months of April and November, 2025.
He added "Moderate impact level floods are expected in 445 communities in 116 LGAs in 24 States within the months of April, May and June; and 1,458 communities in 271 LGAs in 33 States within the months of July, August and September; and 1,473 communities in 171 LGAs in 26 States within the months of October and November, 2025."
Prof Utsev explained that 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.
According to him, cities such as Abakaliki, Abeokuta, Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Bimin-Kebbi, Calabar, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi, Nguru, Onitsha, Oshogbo, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Warri and Yola, among others are to experience these categories of flood incidence.
On Coastal and Riverine Flooding, the Minister said that 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."
The Minister said that the enumerated flood forecast provides necessary information to the generality of the public; especially the riverian communities and for sensitization on the need to take proactive measures that will ensure timely and adequate preparedness, response and evacuation against any probable flooding eventually.
"It also serves as a working tool for the various sectors of the economy including governments, agriculture, health, environment, water corporations, humanitarian and donor aid organizations, town planners, national planning, disaster management and security agencies." he stated
With new innovations in this year's Annual Flood Outlook, the Minister said that NIHSA has adopted a new and effective approach to flood forecasting mechanism to ensure that critical risk information is clearly understood and actionable for vulnerable communities.
The flood prediction, he said, has been refined to provide not only seasonal and monthly forecasts, but location-specific and community-focused forecasts.
"The forecasting approach ensures that at-risk communities, local governments, and disaster risk managers receive timely, precise and actionable flood risk information, empowering them to take proactive measures such as early evacuation, reinforcement of infrastructure, and strategic resource allocation to save lives and reduce damage.
"By enhancing clarity and accessibility in flood forecasting, we aim to strengthen resilience and foster a culture of preparedness across the nation." Prof Utsev said
He disclosed that the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook has been segmented into three parts to address the pressing challenges of flood disasters and provide detail information for mitigation particularly in the most vulnerable communities.
The three publications, he said, are
Flood Forecast, which gives overview of the 2025 flood scenarios; Flood Risk Communication: document that exposes the necessary communication modes for translating flood occurrence into action, and Flood Mitigation and Adaptation: this summarised the required activities, measures and programmes to be undertaken for reducing exposures to flood risks.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, said the AFO will enable proper planning to respond to flooding in the country.
"It has become necessary to strategize against the devastating effect of flooding in the country."
He urged all stakeholders to remember that the event is not just about figures, but about protecting lives and properties in the various communities.
Among those who gave goodwill messages at the occasion included Chairman House Committee on NIHSA, Pascal Agbodike, Representative of the Kano State Governor, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Representative of NISER.
Others are the Special Adviser to the President on Humanitarian Affairs, Inna Binta Audu, and Prof Emmanuel Adanu.
Apart from documentary on flood in Nigeria, the Minister unveiled the National Flood Insurance Programmes (NFIP) at the event
There was also cultural dance showcasing unity and the major ethnic groups in the country.