In case you missed it, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned that 1,249 communities across Lagos, 29 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high risk of flooding, while 2,187 communities in 293 Local Government Areas (LGAs) face moderate flood risks.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, disclosed this during the unveiling of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja.
Key States Affected
– Abia
– Benue
– Lagos
– Bayelsa
– Rivers
– Jigawa
New Initiatives to Combat Flooding
To mitigate the impact of flooding, NIHSA has introduced a community-based predicting initiative, providing location-specific and community-focused forecasts.
This approach aims to ensure that critical risk information is clearly understood and actionable for vulnerable communities.
Projects Launched to Support Flood Control
– National Flood Insurance Programme (NFIP)*: A first-of-its-kind insurance plan to protect vulnerable households, farmlands, and livestock, with Kogi and Jigawa as pilot states.
– Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project (I-CRIP): Aims to improve food security, energy production, and water resource use through climate-smart strategies.
– NigerFLOOD Project: Focuses on flood control and river management.
Devastating Impact of Flooding in 2024
Flooding in 2024 claimed 321 lives, affected over 1.37 million people, and displaced more than 740,000 across Nigeria.