Flood to hit Bayelsa, Lagos, Delta, Adamawa, 29 other states – FG

The Federal Government on Wednesday released the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), warning that Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi and several other states face significant flood risks during the upcoming rainy season.

The outlook was presented by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, at a public briefing held at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja, organised by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA).

Utsev said early warning systems remain critical in reducing disaster impact, stressing that timely information can save lives, protect property, and minimise economic losses. He also noted that the government is modernising hydrological monitoring systems and strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to improve forecasting accuracy.

According to him, flood preparedness must go beyond forecasts, urging state governments, local authorities and communities to take proactive steps in mitigating risks.

The 2026 outlook identified 14,118 communities across 266 Local Government Areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as high flood risk areas. States listed include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Rivers, Sokoto and Yobe, among others.

It further indicated that 15,597 communities in 405 LGAs across 35 states are expected to experience moderate flood risk, while 923 communities in 77 LGAs across 24 states are projected to face low-level flooding.

The report also warned of flash and urban flooding in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, Benin City, Kaduna, Warri, Calabar, and Sokoto, attributing the risk to heavy rainfall, poor drainage systems and inadequate flood infrastructure.

Coastal and riverine flooding is also expected in states including Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Ogun, Ondo and Cross River due to rising sea levels and tidal surges, with potential impacts on fishing, transportation and ecosystems.

President Bola Tinubu, represented at the event by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, was among top officials present alongside service chiefs, governors, and development partners.

The Director-General of NiHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, said the 2026 outlook introduces improved modelling systems, including AI-integrated forecasting tools and a strengthened flood dashboard for real-time monitoring and response.

He added that Nigeria is shifting towards a more data-driven approach to flood management, improving early warning systems and disaster response capacity.

NiMet Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike, also pledged continued collaboration with NiHSA, noting that improved forecasting and coordinated planning are essential to reducing flood impacts across the country.