NiMet Warns Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers to Brace for Mid-Year Flooding

Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers and nine other states will witness early rainfall this year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) stated in its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).

Eight northern states – Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara – will experience delayed rainfall.

The agency predicted that Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and sections of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi will witness early onset of rainfall.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), presented the 2025 SCP in Abuja.

Rainy season is expected over the coastal area of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and parts of Delta between February 23 and March 10.

The agency also forecast that high-intensity rainfall is expected in May-June that may result in flash floods in the coastal cities.

The forecast shows that in 2025, the total rainfall amount in most parts of the country is likely to be normal to below normal when compared to the long-term average.

Keyamo said: “As with previous years, there are pre-onset rainfall activities that should not be confused with the actual onset of the rainy season.

“Those engaged in rainfed agriculture and other-rainfall-dependent activities in Nigeria are advised to refer to the predicted onset dates or consult NiMet for proper guidance.

“The onset of rain is predicted to be delayed over the northern and central states of Plateau as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara.

“While early onset is expected over the southern states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and sections of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi. The rest of the country is predicted to have a normal onset.