Federal Government has warned that flooding may again threaten dozens of states across Nigeria in 2026, urging communities and authorities to take early preventive action.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, gave the advisory during the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
He revealed that 266 local government areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja fall within high flood risk zones.
The report lists several high-risk states including Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Kogi, Lagos, Rivers and the FCT, among others.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said government is strengthening capacity of key ministries and agencies to improve preparedness and response adding that collaboration among all levels of government is key to addressing the challenge.
Year after year, floods wash away homes, farmlands, and livelihoods in Nigeria, leaving families struggling to rebuild.
Authorities are therefore urging citizens, especially those in flood-prone areas, to improve drainage systems, heed early warnings, and integrate flood risk management into development planning.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
