FG Warns of Possible Flooding in 11 States, Issues Alert for 38 Locations

The Federal Government has issued a flood alert for 38 locations spread across 11 states, warning that heavy rainfall expected between Wednesday, July 16, and Sunday, July 20, 2025, could trigger significant flooding in the affected areas.

In a statement obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, the Federal Ministry of Environment, through the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, raised the alarm over the forecast. The alert was signed by the Director of the department, Usman Bokani.

According to the prediction, the states likely to be affected include Adamawa [Mubi]; Akwa Ibom [Edor, Upenekang, Oron, Eket]; Borno [Ngala, Maiduguri]; Bauchi [Azare, Bauchi, Itas, Jama’are, Kafin-Madaki, Jama’a, Kari, Misau]; and Plateau [Jos, Bukuru, Mangu]. Others are Yobe [Jakusko, Machina, Dapchi]; Katsina [Daura]; Kano [Kunchi, Kano, Gezawa, Wudil, Bebeji, Sumaila, Tudun Wada]; Jigawa [Miga, Gwaram, Diginsa, Ringim, Dutse]; Cross River [Calabar, Akpap]; and Zamfara [Bungudu, Gusau].

The warning comes amid broader efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s flood resilience. In June, during the opening session of the Technical Committee Meeting on the Development of the National Flood Insurance Policy and Implementation Framework in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, described the surge in flood events as a national emergency that requires urgent and coordinated action.

“There is a need to transition from a reactive to a proactive and sustainable approach to flood risk management, and the National Flood Insurance Programme is central to building long-term resilience,” he said.

Represented at the meeting by the Deputy Director of the Department of Flood, Erosion Control and Coastal Management, Kunle Awojemila, the Permanent Secretary blamed recent years’ recurrent flooding on climate change, rapid urbanisation, and poor infrastructure.

He explained that the proposed flood insurance scheme would not only offer financial protection to individuals, communities, and businesses but also reduce government expenditure on emergency relief, while fostering a culture of shared responsibility between the government and the private sector.