Federal Government has warned that 14,118 communities across 266 Local Government Areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high risk of flooding.
The affected states include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, and Edo.
Others are Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, issued the warning at the launch of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Professor Utsev said the outlook serves as a critical early warning tool to help governments and communities prepare for the coming flood season. He stressed that timely information could significantly reduce loss of lives, damage to infrastructure, and economic disruption.
According to the AFO, developed by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), more than 15,000 communities face moderate flood risk, while hundreds more are expected to experience minimal flooding, underscoring the widespread nature of the threat.
The report listed additional states at varying levels of risk, including 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.
Major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Ibadan are also projected to experience flash and urban flooding, driven by heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage systems, and rapid urbanisation.
The Minister therefore urged on state governments, disaster management agencies, local governments, farmers, and community leaders to study the AFO and take proactive measures ahead of the flood season.
RN
