The Federal Ministry of Environment has warned that 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may experience flooding between June 22 and July 5, 2026, following forecasts of heavy rainfall across several parts of the country.

The warning was issued on Monday through the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the ministry’s Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department.

FG Identifies High-Risk and Critical Flood Zones

According to the advisory dated June 22, 2026, several communities across the country have been classified as either critical-risk or high-risk flood zones.

States listed under the critical-risk category include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers.

Lagos, Rivers, Anambra, FCT Among Most Vulnerable Areas

The ministry identified numerous flood-prone communities likely to be affected by heavy rainfall and rising water levels.

In Lagos State, vulnerable areas include Agege, Alimosho, Apapa, Badagry, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki and Surulere.

In the FCT, high-risk areas include Abuja Municipal, Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya and Wuse.

Other identified locations include Onitsha and Awka (Anambra), Yenagoa (Bayelsa), Makurdi (Benue), Calabar (Cross River), Warri and Sapele (Delta), Enugu and Nsukka (Enugu), Owerri (Imo), Lokoja (Kogi), Ilorin (Kwara), and Port Harcourt (Rivers).

FG Issues Safety Advisory to Residents

The ministry urged residents in high-risk communities to take urgent precautionary measures to reduce potential impact.

It advised communities in critical zones to maintain flood watch, identify evacuation routes, and avoid building or trading in flood-prone areas.

“Communities classified as Critical should maintain immediate flood watch, identify evacuation routes, protect vulnerable households,” the advisory stated.

For high-risk areas, the ministry called for intensified drainage clearance, monitoring of waterways, and improved community reporting of rising water levels.

Rising Concern Over Seasonal Flooding

The warning comes amid the peak of Nigeria’s rainy season, raising concerns over possible displacement of residents, destruction of property, and disruption of economic activities in vulnerable areas.

Authorities have urged state governments and emergency agencies to step up preparedness measures to prevent avoidable losses.

The post Flood Alert: FG Warns 26 States, FCT of Heavy Rainfall and Possible Flooding appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Over 150 Lives Lost in Mokwa Flood

Dr. Samson Opaluwah, chairman of CORBON, spoke after a tragic flood in Mokwa, Niger State, which killed more than 150 people. He offered his sympathy to the families affected and urged leaders at all levels to act fast. He stressed that yearly floods are not surprising they happen regularly and should be expected.

We Know the Problem Now Act

According to Dr. Opaluwah, Nigeria’s rainy and dry seasons are predictable. That’s why he believes local, state, and federal governments must have clear flood prevention plans each year. Instead of always reacting after damage has been done, he urged a shift toward preparing ahead of time.

He also called on the Ministry of Environment and climate agencies to stop delaying action. Nigeria has enough experts to handle the challenge what’s missing is urgency and proper coordination.

Niger and Benue Rivers: Wasted Opportunities

Dr. Opaluwah pointed out that Nigeria is blessed with two large rivers, the Niger and Benue. These should be valuable assets for trade, tourism, and transport. Instead, because they are not properly managed, they turn into threats during heavy rains. He believes this failure is a missed chance for both safety and economic growth.

Building in the Wrong Places

Another major cause of flooding, according to CORBON, is the ongoing construction of buildings on floodplains. When water bodies overflow, they need space to flow. But when homes and structures block that space, floods destroy everything in their way.

Opaluwah said planning authorities must stop allowing buildings in unsafe areas. They should also design cities with better drainage and safer layouts. If homes are already sitting in risky zones, they must either be properly protected or moved out.

The Way Forward

He urged state governments to make better use of the Ecological Fund, which is meant for problems like this. He also promised that CORBON is ready to support any government that wants real, long-term solutions not just quick fixes.

Flooding in Nigeria doesn’t have to keep happening. With smarter planning and the right actions, lives can be saved and communities protected

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