ABUJA — The Federal Government has issued a stark warning that 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are currently at significant risk of flooding, reminiscent of the recent disaster in Mokwa, Niger State, where over 200 lives were lost. The catastrophic flooding in Mokwa not only claimed numerous lives but also destroyed several homes, leaving thousands homeless and over 500 individuals unaccounted for. States identified as high flood risk areas include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, 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 FCT. Engr. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, emphasized during a briefing in Abuja that the Mokwa flood was not due to water releases from the Kainji and Jebba dams but was primarily caused by intense rainfall exacerbated by climate change. He attributed the high casualty rate to the public’s disregard for flood warnings and urged state governments to implement measures to mitigate potential flooding that could endanger lives and properties. “The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation extends its heartfelt sympathy to the government and people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa, who have suffered losses due to this natural disaster,” Utsev stated. He clarified that the flood was not a result of water releases from the Kainji or Jebba dams, both of which remain intact and safe. Commending the swift response of the Niger State government, local authorities, and first responders, Utsev highlighted that the flood in Mokwa was primarily due to heavy rainfall from extreme weather conditions linked to climate change, which overwhelmed local drainage systems. Unregulated construction activities further exacerbated the situation by obstructing an ephemeral tributary of River Dingi, a tributary of River Niger, which typically remains dry and relies solely on rainfall runoff. The absence of efficient alternative pathways to redirect excess water intensified the flood’s impact on the communities. Utsev referenced the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) released by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on April 10, 2025, which predicted flooding in 19 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger State, including Mokwa LGA. 2025 Annual Flood Outlook The 2025 AFO report indicated that 1,249 communities in 176 LGAs across 33 states and the FCT are within high flood risk areas, while 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs in 31 states and the FCT fall within moderate flood risk zones. High flood risk states, as identified by NIHSA, include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. Utsev reiterated the key warnings and recommendations from the 2025 AFO, urging states and local governments to act on early warnings by strengthening drainage infrastructure, relocating vulnerable communities from flood plains, conducting sustained public awareness campaigns, and enforcing land-use regulations to prevent encroachment into flood-prone areas. He emphasized that the AFO provides a comprehensive overview of flood risks, potential flood-prone areas, expected flood levels, and recommended adaptation and mitigation measures to minimize flood impact. Stakeholders are advised to visit the NIHSA flood forecast dashboard at nihsa. for detailed information and proactive measures to mitigate flood impacts in their regions. Utsev highlighted that recent flood events underscore the increasing impacts of climate change on the environment and water systems, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe. He called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, and community leaders, to collaborate in building safer, more resilient communities. Technical personnel from the Ministry, NIHSA, Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (UNRBDA), and National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) are currently in Mokwa assessing the flood’s cause to develop an appropriate report. States Begin Proactive Measures Delta State’s Preemptive Actions Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani, stated that the state government is taking proactive steps to consolidate on previous efforts, including massive de-siltation and opening up waterways across the three senatorial districts. He mentioned the establishment of IDP camps in Kwale, Bomadi, Patani, Otu-Jeremi, Ozoro, and Asaba, and emphasized the importance of community awareness and orientation, especially for those living in flood-prone areas. Bayelsa State’s Mitigation Efforts In Bayelsa State, where flooding is a perennial issue due to its geographical location, the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control has initiated the opening and clearing of canals to prevent flooding. Director-General Surv Wilson Omuso stated that while flooding cannot be entirely eliminated, its damage can be minimized through preparedness and coordinated response. Technical Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Environment, Morris Alagoa, highlighted the state’s unique geographical features and the steps being taken by the administration to tackle flood and erosion-related matters, including the establishment of the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control in 2023. NEMA’s Readiness in Rivers State In Rivers State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) expressed its readiness to tackle flood emergencies, with the head of operations in Rivers/Bayelsa states, Eric Ebhodaghe, stating that the agency has been disseminating information from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) to stakeholders and has procured necessary items to assist potential flood victims. He noted that volunteers have been trained across the state to handle critical situations, and efforts have been made to manage waste that blocks water channels. Borno State’s Sensitization Campaigns In Borno State, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and NEMA have embarked on aggressive sensitization campaigns. Executive Secretary of Borno Geographic Information System (BOGIS), Engineer Adam Bababe, inaugurated a 13-man committee to demarcate boundaries and control developments along river banks and buffer zones in Maiduguri and its environs. He warned against developing structures along waterways and buffer zones, stating that the state government will not compensate for any demolished property without legal title or approval. Ondo State’s Preparedness Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo State Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, stated that the government has embarked on continuous channelization across the
As the rainy season unfolds across Nigeria with frightening episodes of flooding, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) had issued repeated early warnings earlier in the year regarding potential floods in several states, especially Niger. The destructive floods in Niger State reinforce NiMET’s stark prediction that 13 Northern states may experience widespread flooding in 2025. “We expect a normal to below-normal annual rainfall across most regions, compared to historical averages. However, heavy downpours in May and June may result in flash floods, especially in coastal urban centers,” NiMET cautioned. The Federal Government, through the Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, also echoed this alert, highlighting that 1,249 towns across 176 local governments in 30 states — including areas in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) — are vulnerable to floods. In 2024, many areas, particularly in the North, were severely impacted by floods. Notably, heavy rain damaged parts of Borno, Maiduguri, and Kano. Jigawa was hit especially hard, as intense rainfall swept through homes and farmlands. For 2025, government forecasts warn that the following states are at risk of flooding: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, 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 FCT. Data from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) supports these findings, indicating that dam overflow risks are growing. This is of particular concern in Niger State, which is home to the Shiroro and Kainji dams — both known for past downstream flooding. Tragically, more than 151 lives were lost during the Niger flood on Wednesday night. As rescue operations continue, the death toll may rise. Is Government Action Proactive or Reactive? Although both the Federal Government and Niger State authorities acknowledged the flood warnings from NiMET, little has been publicly disclosed regarding preventive strategies to lessen the effects of flooding. In an interview with LMSINT MEDIA, Umar Sale Anka, a council member of the Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (IEPN), said the recent disaster in Mokwa, Niger State—which claimed over 150 lives and submerged entire villages—highlights the deep-rooted issues plaguing Nigeria’s emergency response systems. He emphasized, “Despite timely alerts from NiMET and NIHSA, the response was delayed due to institutional inefficiency, resource limitations, personnel shortages, and inadequate funding, particularly at the state level.” Anka also blamed deforestation, noting that forests, which previously served as natural flood buffers, have been wiped out, allowing water to surge unimpeded into residential areas. Furthermore, he pointed out that even when relief materials are available, insecurity often hinders access, putting both humanitarian organizations and technical response teams at risk. “Cultural attachments to ancestral homes and spiritual beliefs complicate relocation efforts,” he added. “Even when warned, many families are unwilling to evacuate due to emotional ties to their land, sacred spaces, and family burial grounds. To them, relocation is not just physical — it’s a profound cultural dislocation.” These social dynamics, according to Anka, significantly challenge emergency managers, who must consider logistical and cultural factors when planning flood responses. “In this tragic mix of natural disaster, environmental degradation, social complexity, and delayed governance, the most vulnerable Nigerians continue to suffer the brunt,” he concluded. Still, Anka asserted that early and strategic intervention could have greatly minimized the disaster’s scale. Kano’s Strategic Response In an interview with LMSINT MEDIA, the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) stated it is working alongside National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to prevent severe flooding during the rainy season. The SEMA Executive Secretary, Isyaku Kubarachi, previously confirmed that floods have already occurred in Madobi, Shanono, and Tudun Wada. Meetings have reportedly been scheduled with stakeholders, including NEMA, to strategize. However, during his conversation with LMSINT MEDIA, Kubarachi only mentioned, “We would hold stakeholders meeting to address the issue,” without offering further details. He noted that the media would also be involved in these meetings, which are expected to help mitigate flood risks in Kano State.
