The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned that more than 18 million Nigerians are at risk of flooding in 2026, urging state governments to take immediate preventive measures to reduce the impact on lives and property.
Speaking in an interview, NiHSA Director-General, Arc. Umar Mohammed, represented by the Head of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing, Emmanuel David Tuna, said the forecast was released early to enable states prepare ahead of the rainy season.
According to the agency, over 2,000 hectares of farmland, 8,794 educational facilities, and 3,808 healthcare centres are projected to be affected by flooding this year.
NiHSA identified several high-risk areas, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Lokoja, Onitsha, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Adamawa, and Taraba, warning that intense flooding is expected along the River Niger and River Benue corridors, particularly following anticipated water releases from the Kainji Dam.
The agency noted that while flooding is also expected in Makurdi, it is not projected to be as severe as in some other locations.
NiHSA expressed concern over what it described as poor cooperation from state governments, saying many states ignore early flood warnings and fail to implement recommended mitigation strategies.
The agency revealed that its proposed National Flood Insurance Programme, designed to reduce the financial impact of flooding on affected communities, has yet to be adopted by any state despite repeated engagements.
NiHSA urged state governments to work more closely with the agency, stressing that timely action, effective planning and community-level preparedness remain critical to reducing the impact of the predicted floods.
