In a proactive move to curb the devastating impacts of flooding, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) on Thursday, April 10, 2025, unveiled the much-anticipated 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) in Abuja. The unveiling, themed “Flood Resilience: Focusing on Communities Preparedness and Adaptive Strategies for Flood Management,” was led by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE.
While acknowledging flooding as one of Nigeria’s most persistent and destructive natural disasters, the Minister revealed that 1,249 communities in 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 30 states and the FCT are at high risk this year. An additional 2,187 communities across 293 LGAs fall within moderate flood-risk zones. High-risk states include Abia, Benue, Lagos, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Jigawa.
To counter the rising threat, the 2025 AFO introduces a groundbreaking community-based forecasting approach—a shift from broad predictions to localized, actionable intelligence tailored to specific communities. This innovation aims to sharpen early warning systems, enhance preparedness, and improve communication with those most vulnerable.
The AFO is encapsulated in three principal documents:
- Flood Forecast, which details expected flood scenarios;
- Flood Risk Communication, offering tools for translating data into timely, lifesaving action; and
- Flood Mitigation and Adaptation, which outlines strategies to lower vulnerability and build long-term resilience.
Prof. Utsev also highlighted a series of complementary projects designed to deepen resilience and national response capacity. Among them is the National Flood Insurance Programme (NFIP)—the first of its kind in Nigeria—offering insurance protection for vulnerable households, farmlands, and livestock. Pilot schemes are already underway in Kogi and Jigawa States.
Another highlight is the Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project (I-CRIP), developed in collaboration with relevant ministries, targeting climate-smart solutions to bolster food security, energy production, and efficient water use. Similarly, the NigerFLOOD Project promises transformative outcomes along the River Niger corridor—from Lokoja to Bayelsa—focusing on flood control, irrigation, hydropower, navigation, and eco-tourism.
A 2025 Annual Drought Outlook is also set to be released later this year to complement the AFO and provide a comprehensive perspective on water-related hazards.
Welcoming participants, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, emphasized that the forecast is more than figures. “This outlook isn’t just about numbers, it’s about protecting lives and livelihoods,” he stated.
NIHSA’s Director General, Engr. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, further clarified the agency’s enhanced approach, noting that the forecast now captures not just LGAs but individual communities and the likely sectoral impacts—on health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. “We are transforming flood data into real-time decisions and impactful resilience-building,” he said, crediting technological innovation and inter-agency collaboration for the improved methodology.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2025 rainy season, authorities are calling on state governments, local councils, and exposed communities to act swiftly on the forecast. Stakeholders are encouraged to strengthen disaster preparedness plans and tap into national programs designed to mitigate risks and preserve human life.
The full AFO document is available for public access at www.nihsa.gov.ng.