Yemi Obafemi
The Federal Government has identified 226 local government areas across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as high flood risk zones for 2026.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, disclosed this on Wednesday during the presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency in Abuja.
Utsev said over 14,000 communities fall within the high risk category. “Fourteen thousand, one hundred and eighteen communities in 266 local government areas in 33 states and the FCT fall within the high flood risk areas,” he stated.
He listed affected states to include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara, alongside the FCT.
According to the outlook, 405 local government areas in 35 states fall within the moderate flood risk category, with Ekiti identified as the only state not affected at that level.
The minister also noted that 923 communities across 77 local government areas in 24 states are expected to experience minimal flooding. “Low flood risk incidents are expected in 923 communities in 77 LGAs in 24 states,” he said, listing states including Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue and others.
Utsev explained that this year’s forecast introduces a community based approach, allowing flood predictions to be tailored to specific locations for quicker response and intervention.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening emergency response systems and promoting sustainable development.
Represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, the president said the government is taking steps to improve the capacity of relevant agencies for more effective emergency management.
