The Federal Government has issued a fresh flood warning, revealing that 14,118 communities in 266 local government areas across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory are at high risk of flooding in 2026.
The alarming projection was unveiled on Wednesday by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, during the presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the minister, the forecast is designed to help governments, agencies and communities prepare ahead of the rainy season, stressing that early warnings remain critical to saving lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.
“14,118 communities in 266 Local Government Areas in 33 States and FCT fall within the high flood risk areas,” Utsev said.
States listed in the danger zone include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Kogi, Benue, Kano, Kaduna, Borno, Adamawa, Plateau, Sokoto, Zamfara and several others.
The government also disclosed that 15,597 communities in 405 LGAs across 35 states are expected to face moderate flooding, while 923 communities in 77 LGAs may experience minimal flooding.
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Utsev said the highest flood threat would run between April and November, with the most severe impact expected between July and September when rainfall peaks nationwide.
He warned that agriculture, livestock, homes, roads and critical infrastructure could suffer heavy losses if preventive steps are ignored.
Major cities likely to witness flash and urban flooding include Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Kano, Kaduna, Calabar, Abeokuta, Asaba, Onitsha, Warri and Yola.
The minister blamed likely urban flooding on blocked drainage systems, poor water channel management and weak flood-resilience structures.
Coastal and riverine flooding is also expected in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo states due to rising sea levels and tidal surges, posing risks to fishing communities, wildlife habitats and water transport routes.
He urged state governments, emergency agencies, farmers and community leaders to study the flood outlook carefully and begin urgent preventive measures before the rains intensify.
With memories of previous flood disasters still fresh across many parts of Nigeria, the latest warning signals another critical test for disaster preparedness nationwide.
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