The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev has raised the alarm that 14,118 communities in 266 local government areas across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT faces the risk of high flooding in 2026.
The Minister disclosed this at the presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) with the theme: Smart Water Resources Management-Moving from Oil to Water Based Economy, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
The gathering under the auspices of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), provides evidence-based predictions that enable the government, stakeholders, agencies, state authorities, local governments and communities to prepare ahead of the flood season, adding that “Early information saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure, and reduces economic losses.”
While given the highlights of the 2026 forecast, the Minister said “14,118 communities in 266 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 33 States and FCT fall within the high flood risk areas.”
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He gave the names of the states as, 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 and the Federal Capital Territory.
Part of the statistics also showed that “15,597 Communities in 405 LGAs 35 States except Ekiti State will experience moderate flood risk and Incidences of minimal flood is expected in 923 communities in 77 LGAs in 24 States. The States are 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.”
Professor Utsev further explained that the high flood Risk Areas is expected between the months of April and November, 2026, adding that, “agriculture, livelihoods, livestock and infrastructure, and the environment will be affected.
“This year, 9,021 communities in 188 LGAs across the country fall within the High Flood Risk areas in the months of April, May and June; while 14,158 communities in 263 LGAs in the months of July, August and September; and 11,575 communities in 224 LGAs in the months of October and November, 2026 are within the High Flood Risk zones.”
He further stressed that Moderate Flood Risk will be between the months of April and November, 2026 and the impacts are expected in 8,225 communities in 228 LGAs within the months of April, May and June; and 15,621 communities in 407 LGAs within the months of July, August and September; and 9,263 communities in 272 LGAs within the months of October and November, 2026.
He also said Flash and urban flooding are projected in major cities in the country due to high rainfall intensities, low attention to management of water facilities including drainage systems, waterways and lack of flood resilience structures.
The flash flood will affect Cities like Abakaliki, Abeokuta, Abuja, Asaba, Benin City, Birnin–Kebbi, Calabar, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi, Nguru, Onitsha, Oshogbo, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Warri and Yola, among others.
Also expected within the period under review is Coastal and Riverine Flooding in areas like Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo due to rise in sea level and tidal surge, adding that it would have impact on fishing, wildlife habitation and river navigation.
The Minister therefore called on state governments, local authorities, disaster management agencies, farmers, and community leaders to carefully study the findings and advisories in the document and take the necessary steps to prepare for the coming flood season.
He insisted that preparedness remains the most effective strategy for reducing flood risks. “When we plan ahead, we protect lives, safeguard infrastructure, and preserve economic gains.” The Minister said.
The technical document, he said will serve as a vital planning tool for government institutions, state authorities, stakeholders, farmers, disaster managers, and communities across the country in abating climate-induced disasters.
In his message to the gathering, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said lessons learnt from the 2024 flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State has made government to move from the traditional flood management system to a proactive management system of not only flood, but also of natural resources.
He said the Office of the Vice-President has championed the Anticipatory Action for flood and other-related disasters management with the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Development Partners, MDAs and Stakeholders in the disaster risk sector.
He said, “I am happy to inform you that this Anticipatory Action Committee has been working tirelessly to ensure that our country does not experience a repeat of the 2024 Maiduguri flood incident.
“Key to the Anticipatory Action is the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. The AFO has been the foundational document upon which the early actions, preparedness and mitigation strategies are mapped out and actioned.
“It is, therefore, commendable that this year’s Annual Flood Forecast is being presented today, and early enough before the rains and other climate variabilities set in.
“I am confident that the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) has provided the required impact-based information for all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, and the 774 local government areas to activate preparedness, response and evacuation mechanisms against any flooding incident.”
