The Federal Government has warned that 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at high risk of flooding.
This warning follows last Thursday’s flood in Mokwa, Niger State, where over 200 people died. More than 500 people are missing, and thousands are now homeless.
The states most at risk are Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the FCT.
Cause of Mokwa Flood: Not Dam Failure
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, said heavy rainfall caused the Mokwa flood.
He said: “The flood was not caused by water releases from either the Kainji or Jebba dams. Both dams are intact and safe.”
He blamed the high number of deaths on the failure of residents to follow flood warnings.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation extends its heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the government and the good people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa.”
The minister explained that the rainfall was worsened by climate change and blocked drainage systems.
He added: “Unregulated building blocked an ephemeral tributary of River Dingi, which flows only during rains. This made the flooding worse.”
He pointed out that poor drainage paths added to the destruction in the affected areas.
2025 Flood Outlook Predicts More Flooding
Utsev referred to the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), released in April. It predicted floods in 19 local governments of Niger State, including Mokwa.
He said 1,249 communities in 176 LGAs across 33 states and the FCT are at high flood risk. Also, 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs in 31 states and the FCT fall under moderate flood risk.
The minister wants all states to act fast.
He said: “We had urged and we are still urging states and local governments to act on these early warnings.”
“They must strengthen drainage, move people from flood-prone areas, and create public awareness.”
He also advised the public to visit the NIHSA flood forecast website for details.
He warned that extreme weather, like heavy rainfall and river flooding, is happening more often and must be taken seriously.
He said: “We call on all stakeholders, government agencies, private sector, civil society, and community leaders to work together in building safer, more resilient communities.”
He added that technical experts are in Mokwa to study the cause of the flooding and recommend solutions.
Delta State Begins Flood Prevention Steps
Delta State’s Commissioner for Environment, Ejiro Jamani, said they are preparing to prevent floods.
He said: “We are consolidating on what we did last year. We are preparing to do massive de-siltation and open waterways.”
The state is setting up IDP camps in Kwale, Bomadi, Patani, Otu-Jeremi, Ozoro and Asaba.
He warned people in flood-prone areas to take precautions, especially farmers and fishermen.
He added: “Those farming in flood plains should harvest their crops early. Those living near drains must stop dumping refuse into them.”
Bayelsa Clears Canals to Prevent Floods
Bayelsa State, which is often flooded due to its geography, is taking action too.
The Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control has started clearing canals to reduce the impact of expected floods.
The agency’s Director-General, Surv Wilson Omuso, said: “We cannot eliminate flooding due to our geographic location, but we can minimise its damage through preparedness and coordinated response.”
Technical Assistant to the Governor, Morris Alagoa, said Bayelsa is prone to flooding because of its location and long Atlantic coastline.
He said: “Bayelsa has the most delta features and is below sea level. The state shouldn’t wait for predictions from NIMET.”
He explained that since 2012, Bayelsa has set up a flood control agency, which is actively clearing canals.
He said: “The agency investigates and clears water channels daily. We’ve received distress calls from farmers along Epie Creek. Their farms are already flooded and crops destroyed.”
NEMA Ready for Floods in Rivers State
In Rivers State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it is ready to respond to flood emergencies.
NEMA’s head of operations in Rivers and Bayelsa, Eric Ebhodaghe, said the agency is working with NiMET and has been sharing flood forecasts with relevant authorities.
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