Federal Government Initiates Flood Preparedness Campaign Across 30 States
As Nigeria braces for the peak of the rainy season, the Federal Government has unveiled plans for a nationwide flood awareness campaign targeting 30 high-risk states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Kunle Awojemila, Deputy Director at the Department of Flood, Erosion Control, and Coastal Management within the Ministry of Environment, the sensitization drive is scheduled to begin in the first week of May 2025. He made this known during an exclusive interview on Sunday.
“The campaign will kick off in Dutse, Abuja, before expanding to flood-prone areas such as Lokogoma and Lugbe,” Awojemila stated. “Other states will simultaneously roll out their local awareness programmes.”
The initiative follows a forecast by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, which projects significant flood risks for 1,249 communities spread across 176 local government areas nationwide between April and November 2025.
States on Alert
At the recent unveiling of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, named the vulnerable states. These include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, and Jigawa.
Other high-risk areas are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Utsev emphasized that climate change is intensifying the frequency and scale of flood disasters across the country. Coastal and riverine states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo are especially vulnerable due to rising sea levels and tidal surges, which threaten marine ecosystems, fishing livelihoods, and river transportation.
Last Year’s Toll
Figures from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) show the scale of destruction caused by floods in 2024. The disaster impacted 217 local government areas across 34 states, displacing 740,734 people and claiming 321 lives. An estimated 1.3 million individuals were affected overall, with over 2,800 injured and thousands of hectares of farmland wiped out.
Community Education at the Forefront
In a parallel move, NEMA has intensified grassroots outreach under its GEPAD (Grassroots Emergency Preparedness and Awareness Drive) initiative. The campaign recently concluded a five-day tour in Ekiti State, targeting flood-prone communities such as Ikere and Ido Ekiti.
Speaking at the closing event in Ado Ekiti, NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, stressed the importance of early education in reducing the impact of disasters.
“Floods continue to devastate lives and properties,” she said. “Many vulnerable communities remain unaware of how to prepare and respond effectively. This programme aims to close that knowledge gap.”
Represented by Dr. Kofoworola Soleye, Head of NEMA’s Ekiti Operations Office, Umar highlighted the campaign’s focus on practical demonstrations, safety drills, and evacuation procedures. Residents were advised to move to higher ground when water levels rise and to remain alert during the rainy season.
A Call for Vigilance and Collaboration
The government and emergency agencies are calling on communities, stakeholders, and local leaders to participate actively in the campaign. They emphasize that public awareness, timely action, and coordinated responses remain critical to minimizing loss of life and damage to property.
With the rainy season approaching, authorities warn that preparation—not panic—is the key to resilience.
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Federal Government Initiates Flood Preparedness Campaign Across 30 States