On Wednesday, July 16, the Federal Government issued a caution that 38 locations spanning 11 states in Nigeria face a flooding risk due to anticipated heavy rainfall from Wednesday, July 16, through Sunday, July 20, 2025.
The advisory, acquired by journalists, was issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment via the National Flood Early Warning Centre, which functions under the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department. It was authorized by the department’s Director, Usman Bokani.
According to the prediction, the states potentially impacted include Adamawa (Mubi); Akwa Ibom (Edor, Upenekang, Oron, Eket); Borno (Ngala, Maiduguri); Bauchi (Azare, Bauchi, Itas, Jama’are, Kafin-Madaki, Jama’a, Kari, Misau); and Plateau (Jos, Bukuru, Mangu).
Additional areas at risk include Yobe (Jakusko, Machina, Dapchi); Katsina (Daura); Kano (Kunchi, Kano, Gezawa, Wudil, Bebeji, Sumaila, Tudun Wada); and Jigawa (Miga, Gwaram, Diginsa, Ringim, Dutse). Cross River (Calabar, Akpap) and Zamfara (Bungudu, Gusau) were also included in the forecast.
This alert follows the government’s prior initiatives to tackle the country’s susceptibility to flooding, including the launch of the National Flood Insurance Policy. During the opening of the Technical Committee Meeting on the policy’s development in Abuja in June, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, described the increasing flood incidents across Nigeria as a national emergency requiring immediate and strategic measures.
Kambari, represented by Kunle Awojemila, Deputy Director of the Department of Flood, Erosion Control and Coastal Management, identified climate change, urbanisation, and insufficient infrastructure as primary contributors to recurring flood disasters.
He explained that the proposed National Flood Insurance Programme seeks to offer financial support for individuals, communities, and businesses, alleviate the financial strain on the government during crises, and promote shared responsibility among federal, state, and private sector stakeholders.
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Nnamdi Okoli
