Nigeria Issues Flood Alert for 10 States, Advises Residents to Take Precautions

The Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a new flood warning, impacting at least ten states and alerting communities to the potential for significant flooding due to persistent heavy rainfall. This alert comes from the National Flood Early Warning Centre, which forecasts intense precipitation from April 13th to April 17th, 2026, posing a substantial risk to low-lying and flood- prone regions.

Ten states have been identified as being at risk: Adamawa, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, and Taraba. Specific communities within these states have been highlighted as particularly vulnerable due to existing drainage issues and historical flooding patterns.

In Adamawa State, Ganye and Gbalji are among the areas mentioned. Enugu State's Nsukka region is also flagged. Kaduna State faces warnings for Buruku, Kachia, Kaduna city, and Kafanchan. Kogi State's Ibaji area, and Kwara State's Bode-Sadu and Ilorin are also cited.

For Niger State, communities including Chanchaga, Minna, and Sarkin Pawa are on the alert list. In Osun State, areas like Ilesa, Iragbiji, Oshogbo, and Otan Ayegbaju might experience flooding. Numerous parts of Ibadan, Oyo State, including Apata, Bodija, Challenge, Eleyele, Moniya, Odo-Ona, and Ojoo, are also listed due to their history of flooding. Bukuru in Plateau State and Serti in Taraba State have also been identified.

The Ministry has cautioned that flooding could significantly disrupt daily life, damage essential infrastructure, and endanger lives if adequate precautionary measures are not adopted. Residents in the identified at-risk zones are strongly advised to clear out drainage systems, refrain from constructing buildings near watercourses, and make preparations for potential evacuation.

Authorities have also called upon state governments, emergency management bodies, and local community leaders to activate their disaster preparedness plans and enhance their rapid response capabilities.

Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, endorsed the advisory, emphasizing the critical role of proactive preparation in reducing the impact of potential disasters.

This warning underscores the escalating concerns surrounding seasonal flooding in Nigeria, with climate variability increasingly contributing to intensified rainfall patterns and a rise in extreme weather events across the country.