Amid rising climate uncertainties, the Federal Government has issued a stark warning about potential flooding in over 1,200 communities across Nigeria in 2025, raising fresh concerns about disaster preparedness and resilience at the grassroots.
According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, new projections indicate that 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to experience significant flood incidents, particularly in regions vulnerable to riverine and coastal overflow.
In an event unveiling the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) in Abuja, Minister Joseph Utsev underscored that flood disasters, now more frequent and intense due to climate change, pose a growing threat to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure nationwide. He specifically cited the South-South zone, including states like Bayelsa, Delta, and Cross River, as likely flashpoints due to rising sea levels.
What sets this year’s forecast apart is its community-centric approach. Unlike previous national outlooks that offered broad warnings, the 2025 AFO drills down to individual communities, allowing for more targeted early-warning systems and localised emergency plans.
“Flooding is no longer just a seasonal inconvenience—it’s a recurring national emergency,” Utsev stated. “We’re shifting from general predictions to precise alerts that speak directly to vulnerable communities.”
In total, 1,249 communities across 176 LGAs have been identified as high-risk zones, while another 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs may face moderate flood threats if preemptive action isn’t taken.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah, called for swift collaboration between federal and sub-national agencies, saying, “This isn’t about statistics. It’s about saving lives.”
NIHSA Director General Umar Mohammed noted that the outlook now also considers the ripple effects of flooding across key sectors such as health, education, and agriculture, insights meant to aid strategic disaster planning.
