The federal government has warned that thousands of communities across Nigeria, including many in Lagos, face a high risk of severe flooding in 2026.
Speaking at the presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, disclosed that 14,118 communities in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory fall within high-risk flood zones. These communities are spread across 266 local government areas, based on scientific and hydrological assessments.
States identified as highly vulnerable include Lagos, Anambra, Kano, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Kaduna, and Ogun, among others.
Utsev also revealed that 15,597 communities in 405 LGAs across 35 states fall under moderate flood risk, while 923 communities in 77 LGAs are classified as low-risk. Ekiti remains the only state not affected.
He warned that major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Kano may experience flash and urban flooding. Coastal and riverine flooding is also expected in states like Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers due to rising sea levels and tidal surges.
The minister attributed the increasing flood threats to climate variability, rapid urbanisation, poor drainage systems, and weak land-use planning. He stressed that the flood outlook serves as a critical early warning tool to help reduce loss of lives and property.
Utsev added that the government is strengthening monitoring systems through improved data collection, automated river gauges, and advanced forecasting models, in collaboration with agencies like NiMet and NEMA.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said flooding has remained a recurring national challenge. He noted that recent incidents, including the 2024 Maiduguri flood, have prompted a shift toward more proactive disaster management strategies.
The president urged state governments and stakeholders to use the flood outlook for planning, preparedness, and mitigation, while also investing in better drainage infrastructure and community awareness to reduce the impact of flooding nationwide.