The federal authorities has launched the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), with a warning that flood may hit Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi and a few 28 different states following the graduation of the wet season.
Minister of Water Sources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, mentioned this Wednesday throughout the AFO public presentation on the Presidential Banquet Corridor Abuja.
The occasion was organised by the Nigeria Hydrological Companies Company (NiHSA), with the theme ‘Sensible Water Sources Administration: Transferring from Oil to Water-Primarily based Economic system’.
In attendance had been Minister of Setting, Balarabe Lawal representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker of the Home of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, representatives from Federal Ministries particularly; Water Sources and Sanitation; Livestock Improvement, Setting and Ladies Affairs.
The remaining are state governments, Service Chiefs, growth companions and the media.
Addressing the gathering, the minister mentioned “early data saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure, and reduces {economic} losses.”
He mentioned the ministry was in sturdy collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Company (NiMet) to make sure higher integration of climate and water data, noting that the company was important for delivering dependable forecasts that help farmers, catastrophe managers, city planners, and different key sectors of the financial system.
In accordance with him, the AFO is not only a scientific report, however a name to motion by all when it comes to preparation forward of the flood season, as early data saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure, and reduces {economic} losses.
Utsev, nevertheless, famous that forecasts alone weren’t sufficient if the data doesn’t translate into motion on the neighborhood stage, an space, he mentioned his ministry was engaged on alongside different related authorities companies to mitigate the impacts of flooding.
…On areas in danger
The minister listed the states and the extent of the flood threat.
Utsev mentioned: “The 2026 flood forecast offered right now supplies us with the next normal highlights: Excessive Flood Danger: 14,118 communities in 266 Native Authorities Areas (LGAs) in 33 States and FCT fall inside the excessive flood threat areas.
“The states are: 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 FCT.
“Average Flood Danger: 15,597 Communities in 405 LGAs, 35 states besides Ekiti State, will expertise reasonable flood threat.
“Low Flood Danger: Incidences of minimal flood is anticipated 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.
“Flash and City Flooding: Flash and concrete flooding are projected in main cities within the nation because of excessive rainfall intensities, low consideration to administration of water services together with drainage techniques, waterways and lack of flood resilience buildings. Cities similar to Abakaliki, Abeokuta, Abuja, Asaba, Benin Metropolis, Birnin–Kebbi, Calabar, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Makurdi, Nguru, Onitsha, Oshogbo, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Warri and Yola, amongst others are to expertise these classes of flood incidence.
“Coastal and Riverine Flooding: Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo are to expertise coastal flooding because of rise in sea stage and tidal surge and this is able to influence on fishing, wildlife habitation and river navigation.”
“As we transition towards a water-based financial system, we should acknowledge that water safety is nationwide safety. Efficient water governance will play a important position in making certain meals safety, supporting {economic} diversification, and enhancing the general well-being of our residents,” the minister added.
On the manner out, the minister mentioned: “I subsequently name on state governments, native authorities, catastrophe administration companies, farmers, and neighborhood leaders to rigorously examine the findings and advisories contained on this doc and take the mandatory steps to organize for the approaching flood season.
“Moreover, we’re encouraging state governments to combine flood threat concerns into land-use planning, city growth, and infrastructure design.
“Floodplains have to be correctly managed, drainage techniques have to be improved, and communities have to be empowered to adapt to altering local weather circumstances.
“Preparedness stays the best technique for decreasing flood dangers. Once we plan forward, we defend lives, safeguard infrastructure, and protect {economic} good points. Allow us to decide to constructing a safer, extra resilient and extra water-secure nation.”
…NiHSA boss speaks
Additionally talking, Director Common/Chief Govt Officer, NiHSA, Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, mentioned the 2026 AFO aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s plan on {economic} diversification, infrastructure growth, local weather resilience, meals safety and sustainable water administration.
“The AFO has advanced into an vital nationwide planning instrument that gives early scientific prediction of flood dangers within the nation, evidence-based information for decision-makers and platform for emergency coordination amongst stakeholders.
“In producing this 12 months’s forecast, the Company undertook a complete and data-driven course of to offer tailor-made data for high-risk flood zones and flash floods in city cities and cities.
“Constructing on the success achieved by AFO publications, now we have upgraded from reporting flood forecast to Flood Danger Intelligence Structure and from the normal modelling to Hybrid AI-Built-in Modelling system to enhance forecast reliability, cut back false alarms and enhance the lead time accuracy.
“Not these alone, the modelling for the 2026 forecast have been carried out in-house. This marks a strategic shift towards enhancing capability constructing, manpower growth and institutional resilience,” Mohammed mentioned.
The company’s Flood Dashboard, he mentioned, had been upgraded to full-scale Resolution-Help Geo-Intelligence System that allow real-time visualisation and impact-based flood situations.
“The Dashboard is built-in with a devoted Flood Cell App to boost accessibility and dissemination of flood data and alerts. Now we have the staff of NiHSA’s flood marshals at back-end who’re available to offer help and reply to queries,” Mohammed added.
Additionally in a goodwill message, Director Common/Chief Govt Officer, NiMET, Prof Charles Anosike, lamented the devastating results of flooding Nigeria and different African international locations skilled.
He mentioned expertise had made it simpler by way of predictions, to mitigate the impacts, and mentioned NiHSA has completed properly with the presentation of AFO to guard the nation.