The Federal Government has named Lagos among 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, likely to face severe flooding in 2025, which would affect thousands of communities nationwide.
According to the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas (LGAs) fall within high-risk flood zones this year.
Another 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs are expected to experience moderate flooding.
This warning was issued on Thursday in Abuja during the official presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, who led the unveiling, described flooding as one of Nigeria’s most destructive natural disasters, worsened by the impact of climate change.
Lagos, alongside Abia, Benue, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Jigawa, was highlighted as one of the states likely to be hit hardest by flooding in the months ahead.
“To ensure that critical risk information reaches those who need it most, NIHSA has introduced a community-based flood prediction initiative, offering precise, location-specific forecasts across the country,”; Utsev said.
He emphasized that early warning systems must be properly communicated to be effective, adding that the new approach will deliver not just seasonal and monthly projections, but community-focused alerts.
In addition to the forecast, the government announced the rollout of key interventions including the National Flood Insurance Programme (NFIP), a pilot scheme starting in Kogi and Jigawa to provide financial protection for households, farms, and livestock.
Other initiatives include the Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project (I-CRIP) aimed at boosting food and water security through climate-smart strategies, and the NigerFLOOD Project, focused on flood control and river management.
