The Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a flood alert for not less than 14 states, warning that 43 locations across the country face the risk of flooding between September 4 and 8, 2025, due to expected heavy rainfall.
The alert, released Thursday by the National Flood Early Warning Centre and signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, cautioned that flooding remains one of Nigeria’s biggest environmental threats, often causing displacement, destruction of farmlands, and outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
The ministry listed the vulnerable areas as Ebonyi State (Afikpo); Cross River State (Edor, Ikom, Itigidi, Akpap); Kano State (Gwarzo, Karaye); Zamfara State (Anka, Gummi, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi, Bukkuyum); Taraba State (Dampar, Duchi, Garkowa, Gassol, Gembu, Gun Gun Bodel, Kambari, Mayo Ranewo, Mutum Biyu, Bandawa, Ngaruwa); Abia State (Eziama, Umuahia); Yobe State (Geidam, Kanama, Potiskum); Plateau State (Langtang, Shendam, Wase).
Others include Borno State (Ngala); Imo State (Okigwe, Otoko); Niger State (Sarki Pawa); Sokoto State (Sokoto, Wamakko, Isa, Shagari, Makira); Kaduna State (Kafanchan); and Akwa Ibom State (Oron).
The warning comes as the nation continues to grapple with climate change and poor drainage infrastructure, which heighten the vulnerability of communities during the rainy season.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government’s flood relief response received a boost with a $1 million grant from the Chinese government to support victims in the northern states. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, signed the exchange notes with China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, in Abuja.
Bagudu described the intervention as timely and pledged transparency in its management. “A transparent framework, leveraging past experiences and unified templates, will guide the process to ensure that the assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries in the most efficient and impactful manner,” he said.
He added that both governments had agreed on a joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism to track the disbursement and use of the funds.
Ambassador Dunhai expressed solidarity with Nigeria, recalling China’s own recent experiences with flooding. “In times of difficulty, China and Nigeria always stand together,” he said.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier forecast thunderstorms and moderate rainfall across several northern states, warning of possible flash floods in Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano.
