On Wednesday, July 16, the Federal Government issued a flood warning for 38 locations across 11 Nigerian states, cautioning residents about potential flooding due to heavy rainfall expected between July 16 and July 20, 2025.
The alert, obtained by reporters, was issued by the Federal Ministry of Environment through the National Flood Early Warning Centre, part of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department. The notice was signed by the department’s Director, Usman Bokani.
According to the forecast, the states at risk 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).
Other vulnerable areas 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).
This latest warning aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle Nigeria’s flooding challenges, including the launch of the National Flood Insurance Policy. At the Technical Committee Meeting on the policy’s development held in Abuja last June, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, described the increasing frequency of floods as a national emergency demanding urgent and strategic intervention.
Represented by Kunle Awojemila, Deputy Director of the Department of Flood, Erosion Control and Coastal Management, Kambari identified climate change, rapid urbanization, and inadequate infrastructure as key drivers of the persistent flooding issues.
He added that the National Flood Insurance Programme is designed to provide financial support to individuals, communities, and businesses affected by floods, ease the government’s financial burden during disasters, and foster a shared responsibility among federal, state, and private sector stakeholders.
