The Federal Government has raised alarm over potential flooding across Nigeria, revealing that at least 226 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high risk of severe floods in 2026.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, disclosed this on Wednesday during the presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency in Abuja.
Utsev explained that thousands of communities are directly threatened, noting that 14,118 communities spread across 266 LGAs fall within high-risk flood zones nationwide.
He listed affected states to include 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, as well as the FCT.
The report also identified 405 LGAs in 35 states as facing moderate flood risk, with Ekiti State being the only state not listed in this category. This highlights the widespread vulnerability of many parts of the country to flooding in the coming year.
Meanwhile, 77 LGAs in 24 states are expected to experience minimal flooding, affecting about 923 communities. States in this category include 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.
Utsev further announced the introduction of a community-based flood forecasting system aimed at improving early warnings and enabling quicker, more targeted emergency responses.
Speaking at the event, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and response systems.
He emphasized the importance of improved coordination, effective communication, and strategic planning in mitigating the impact of natural disasters and ensuring sustainable development.
The event, themed “Smart Water Resources Management: Moving From Oil To A Water-Based Economy,” was attended by government officials, stakeholders, and experts in the water and environmental sectors.
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