Summary
- The Nigerian Federal Government, through the Environment Ministry, has issued an urgent flood alert for 19 states due to predicted heavy rainfall from August 5 to August 9, 2025.
- The alert was released following forecasts from the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment.
- Authorities warn that up to 76 locations could experience severe flooding, threatening lives, property, and agriculture.
- Recent data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) indicate that at least 191 people have died this year in flood-related incidents, with Niger State suffering the highest number of casualties.
- The affected states include Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Cross River, Nasarawa, Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, and Gombe.
- Stakeholders, emergency responders, and residents are being urged to take immediate precautions.
- Nationwide, floods continue to cause yearly destruction, with property damage, displacement, and casualties on the rise.
- The National Economic Council has allocated emergency funds to address the anticipated flood crisis.
- Local and international media have highlighted the ongoing devastation and increasing risk of flooding across Nigeria.
In a sweeping move to combat rising flood risks, Nigeria's Federal Government has sounded a high alert for 19 states, warning of severe rainfall and potential destruction over the coming five days. The unprecedented warning, released by the Federal Ministry of Environment, comes amid grave forecasts of torrential downpours that threaten to intensify the nation's perennial battle with devastating floods.
Why Did the Nigerian Government Issue a Flood Alert for 19 States?
As reported by the Staff Writer of Daily Post Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Environment's National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre on Tuesday forecasted that "the affected areas are expected to experience rainfall likely to cause flooding from August 5 to August 9, 2025". The government explained that this five-day period is critical and could result in flooding in 76 towns and communities across 19 states. The Environment Ministry has advised citizens and stakeholders in these regions to take urgent steps to safeguard their lives and property.
Which States Are at Risk and What Areas Are Most Vulnerable?
According to the full list obtained and reported by Daily Post Nigeria, Naija FM, and several other titles, the following states and locations have been identified as high-risk zones for flooding:
- Akwa Ibom: Edor, Eket, Ikom, Oron, Upenekang
- Bauchi: Tafawa-Balewa, Azare, Jama’are, Kari, Misau, Jama’a
- Ebonyi: Abakaliki, Echara, Ezilo
- Cross River: Ogoja Edor, Obubra
- Nasarawa: Keana, Keffi, Wamba
- Benue: Agaku, Buruku, Gboko, Igumale, Ito, Katsina-Ala, Ugba, Vande-Ikya
- Kaduna: Jaji, Kafancha, Birnin-Gwari, Zaria
- Katsina: Bindawa, Bakori, Daura, Funtua
- Kebbi: Bagudo, Birnin-Kebbi, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo, Kamba, Kangiwa, Shanga, Ribah, Sakaba, Saminaka, Yelwa, Gauri-Banza
- Kano: Bebeji, Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Tundun-wada, Wudil, Kunchi
- Niger: Kontagora, Rijau, Ringim
- Plateau: Mangu
- Taraba: Donga, Takum
- Jigawa: Diginsa, Gumel, Dutse, Gwaram, Hadejia, Miga
- Yobe: Machina, Potiskum
- Zamfara: Anka
- Sokoto: Sokoto, Wamakko
- Borno: Biu
- Gombe: Bajoga
The government has stressed that all stakeholders must "take urgent precautionary measures" to save lives and mitigate property loss.
What Is the Recent Impact and History of Flooding in Nigeria?
Reporting for Naija FM, the editorial team highlights the persistent and destructive impact of floods in Nigeria over recent years. "Flood wey dey happen for Nigeria don turn yearly wahala wey dey kill people and scatter plenty property," they note, meaning floods have become an annual calamity killing people and destroying vast property. In 2024, the collapse of the Alau Dam in Borno State led to catastrophic flooding that killed at least 150 people and displaced 419,000, submerging 70 percent of the affected community.
In May 2025, the worst flooding so far this year killed at least 200 people and displaced thousands in Mokwa, Niger State. Further fatalities occurred when a landslide triggered by heavy rain and flooding buried houses in Rivers State, killing at least 25 people. Kwara and Mokwa also saw deadly incidents, including drowning and farmlands washed away after the Jebba Hydroelectric Power Station dam released water affecting 30 communities.
How Many People Have Been Affected and What Is the Death Toll?
Citing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) numbers, Naija FM reports, "at least 191 people don die because of flood wey scatter different parts of di country, and 94 people still dey miss". Niger State has the highest death toll with 163 reported fatalities, followed by Adamawa State which has registered 26 deaths. According to agency dashboard data, so far this year:
- 191 deaths recorded from floods
- 94 persons remain missing
- 138 people wounded, 82 missing, and 119,791 displaced
- 43,936 houses lost, 8,594 houses damaged, and 8,278 farms destroyed in 43 Local Government Areas of 19 states
- 134,435 people affected across 20 states and 47 local government areas in 2025
NEMA emphasizes that children and women are the most vulnerable groups during these disasters.
What has the Government Done to Mitigate the Impact of These Floods?
According to Naija FM and supported by other outlets, the government has released significant funds to support flood response and mitigation efforts nationwide. The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved allocations as follows:
- N3 billion each to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
- N1.5 billion to the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Federal Ministry of Environment, and Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation each
- N10 billion to the National Emergency Management Agency
The aim is to bolster emergency response, strengthen local infrastructure and ensure swift support to affected populations.
What Is the Broader Context Surrounding Nigeria's Flood Crisis?
Reporting by Reuters, Dockaysworld, Punch, and Yahoo News points to structural and environmental weaknesses worsening Nigeria’s annual flood woes. Poor drainage, rapid urbanization, deforestation, and climate change are collectively blamed for turning seasonal rains into deadly emergencies. As reported by Reuters,
"Nigeria’s environment ministry warned that heavy rainfall expected from August 5-9 could trigger flooding in various parts of the country".
The Nigerian government acknowledges that, unless long-term measures are implemented—including robust urban planning, dam management, and ecological restoration—annual flooding will continue to pose grave risks to millions of Nigerians.
How Are Citizens and Stakeholders Reacting to the Warnings?
Media coverage from Daily Post Nigeria and others reveals that local governments, NGOs, and community leaders are bracing for the worst. Stakeholders have begun preparations, including clearing waterways, educating residents, and readying emergency shelters. Nonetheless, many affected communities remain vulnerable due to inadequate resources and weakened infrastructure.
Residents in at-risk regions have expressed concern over potentially being forced to evacuate and lose livelihoods. There is widespread anxiety that if the rainfall is as severe as forecast, it could easily overwhelm local coping mechanisms, leading to repeat tragedies seen in 2024 and earlier this year.
What Should Nigerians in the Affected Areas Do Next?
As summarized by Dockaysworld journalists, the Environment Ministry urges all individuals in high-risk zones to:
- Monitor official weather updates and governmental advisories.
- Prepare emergency kits and evacuation plans.
- Avoid flood-prone zones and take shelter in safe locations as directed by authorities.
- Communicate evacuation and safety procedures to vulnerable groups, especially children, women, and older citizens.
In the words of the official National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre statement,
"Stakeholders and residents must act swiftly to limit the impact of this rainfall and potential flooding events".
Nigeria now stands at a critical juncture as authorities and citizens alike mobilize for what could be a defining climatic challenge of 2025. With lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance, the coming days will test both the effectiveness of government intervention and the resilience of local communities from Akwa Ibom to Gombe. Newsrooms across the world, from Reuters to local Nigerian dailies, continue to monitor and report on the unfolding crisis as the nation braces for the rain.