The Federal Government will commence a nationwide flood awareness campaign to educate and sensitise Nigerians on the dangers and safety measures related to flooding.
This sensitisation would commence in May 2025.
Kunle Awojemila, a Deputy Director of the Department of Flood, Erosion Control and Coastal Management at the Federal Ministry of Environment, disclosed this on Sunday.
According to the Federal Government, between April and November of this year, there will likely be major floods in about 1,249 places spread across 176 Local Government Areas in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Awojemila said, “We are starting the flood awareness sensitisation campaign in the first week of May.
“In the FCT, we will begin in Dutse, then move to areas like Lokogoma, Lugbe, and others, consequently.
“Other states will commence their awareness campaigns as well.”
Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, and Jigawa are among the states at risk of flooding, according to Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, who announced during the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency’s official presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja.
Other locations include the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi, and Kwara.
Flooding is still one of Nigeria’s most destructive natural catastrophes, the minister stressed, and climate change is making floods more frequent and more severe.
Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, and Jigawa are among the states at risk of flooding, according to Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, who announced during the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency’s official presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook in Abuja.
Other locations include the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi, and Kwara.
Flooding is still one of Nigeria’s most destructive natural catastrophes, the minister stressed, and climate change is making floods more frequent and more severe.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director General of NEMA, highlighted on Sunday the critical need to improve emergency preparation at the local level, particularly in light of the impending rainy season and possible flood catastrophes.
Speaking through the Head of NEMA’s Ekiti Operations Office, Dr. Kofoworola Soleye, at a closing event in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, the DG said, “Sensitising the residents at the grassroots level to understand their exposure to hazards, safety measures and how to respond to emergencies, especially with the onset of the rains, would go a long way in mitigating the adverse impact of flood disaster.”
A five-day Sensitisation on Awareness Campaign on Grassroots Emergency Preparedness and Awareness Drive came to an end with the event.
The effort was started, according to Umar, to bridge the knowledge gap in flood-prone communities.
“Flood disaster in recent times has claimed several lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira,” she said. “Despite ongoing response efforts, many communities remain unaware of basic preparedness measures and response strategies as regards flood disasters.”
She explained that the NEMA-GEPAD programme was “a community-focused, high-impact sensitization programme” designed to bring emergency education directly to the people most at risk.
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“It will prioritise direct community engagement, advocacy and practical demonstrations, ensuring that people at the grassroots level understand their exposure to hazards, safety measures, and how to respond effectively to emergencies,” Umar added.
Throughout the campaign, NEMA representatives travelled to high-risk communities, including Ikere Ekiti and Ido Ekiti, where they spoke with stakeholders and community leaders to encourage cooperation in sharing information that might save lives.
Residents in Ikere and Ido/Osi local government districts who live in flood-prone regions were given evacuation tips as part of the outreach, and they were cautioned to temporarily move to higher ground as soon as rising water levels are seen.
The organisation reaffirmed its appeal for ongoing community engagement, emphasising that early detection and preparation are essential to lessening the catastrophic effects of natural catastrophes.
