Federal Government Launches Flood Preparedness Campaign Across 30 High-Risk States
Federal Government Launches Flood Preparedness Campaign Across 30 High-Risk States
The Federal Government is set to launch a nationwide flood awareness campaign in May 2025 aimed at educating and informing Nigerians about the dangers of flooding and the necessary safety measures.
Mr. Kunle Awojemila, Deputy Director of the Department of Flood, Erosion Control and Coastal Management at the Federal Ministry of Environment, shared this information during an interview on Sunday. He noted that around 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory are predicted to face significant flooding between April and November this year.
“We will kick off the flood awareness sensitization campaign in the first week of May,” Awojemila stated. “In the FCT, we’ll start in Dutse and proceed to other areas such as Lokogoma and Lugbe. Other states will also initiate their awareness efforts simultaneously.”
During the presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency in Abuja, Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, identified several states at high risk for flooding, including Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, and others, alongside coastal states like Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers that are vulnerable to rising sea levels and tidal surges.
Utsev warned that flooding is among Nigeria’s most severe natural disasters, with climate change exacerbating both the frequency and severity of such events, which negatively impact fishing, wildlife habitats, and river transport systems.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that in 2024, flooding affected 217 local government areas across 34 states, impacting 1,373,699 individuals, displacing 740,734, and resulting in 321 fatalities. Additionally, thousands of hectares of farmland were inundated or destroyed.
On Sunday, NEMA Director General Mrs. Zubaida Umar underscored the urgent need for enhanced grassroots emergency preparedness in light of the upcoming rainy season. Speaking through Dr. Kofoworola Soleye at an event in Ado Ekiti, she emphasized the importance of educating residents about hazard exposure and safety protocols to mitigate flood impacts.
This event concluded a five-day campaign on grassroots emergency preparedness and awareness. Umar highlighted that the initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap in flood-prone communities, noting that recent flood disasters have resulted in numerous fatalities and significant property damage.
“The NEMA-GEPAD programme is a community-focused initiative designed to directly engage at-risk populations through education and advocacy,” she explained, ensuring that individuals understand their risks and effective emergency responses.
NEMA officials have visited high-risk locations such as Ikere Ekiti and Ido Ekiti, collaborating with local leaders to share essential safety information. Residents of these flood-prone areas were advised on evacuation strategies and urged to seek higher ground if water levels rise.
The agency called for ongoing community involvement in preparedness efforts, emphasizing that prompt action and readiness are critical to lessening the destruction caused by natural disasters.
