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.

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Environmental and public health experts have warned that Nigeria may face increased flood risks to housing and critical infrastructure in 2026 as climate change continues to disrupt traditional rainfall patterns.

The warning follows reports of off-season rainfall recorded in parts of Lagos, Ogun, and other states in January and early February 2026 — a period usually characterised by dry weather. Experts say the development is an early signal of more intense and unpredictable rains later in the year, with serious implications for homes, drainage systems, and urban planning.

Speaking on the emerging trend, the Director of Environmental Service at the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Ahoton James, said the unusual rainfall points to growing climate instability that could worsen flooding across residential communities.

According to him, climate change has weakened Nigeria’s ability to predict weather conditions accurately, allowing rainfall to occur outside its traditional season.

Rainfall now falls at unexpected times

James explained that changes in global temperature have altered long-standing climate cycles, making rainfall less predictable and more intense.

He noted that the harmattan period expected in December 2025 and January 2026 was largely absent, while rainfall occurred during months that were previously dry.

“Rain can now fall at any time. The harmattan we experienced only lasted for a few hours before disappearing. These are clear signs that climate change is already affecting us,” he said.

He added that heavier rainfall during unusual periods increases the risk of flash floods, especially in densely populated areas with weak drainage systems.

Housing and infrastructure at risk

Experts warned that the expected rainfall pattern poses a major threat to housing, particularly in low-lying communities, informal settlements, and flood-prone urban areas.

James said prolonged and intense rainfall could overwhelm drainage channels, weaken building foundations, and lead to property losses if proactive measures are not taken.

“With unusual rains, we should also expect unusual heat. Both extremes can happen together, and that combination puts pressure on housing structures and urban infrastructure,” he said.

He noted that flooding is no longer a question of “if” but “when,” urging governments and individuals to prioritise preparedness and resilience.

Unpredictable weather complicates planning

James also highlighted how unpredictable weather patterns have affected forecasting by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, noting that weather outcomes often differ from predictions due to rapid climate shifts.

He said early rainfall and rising temperatures are warning signs that should prompt immediate action from authorities responsible for housing, environment, and disaster management.

“These signs are already here. The heavy rains we experienced early this year are early warnings that we must prepare for more severe flooding,” he added.

Public health implications

A public health physician, Prof Adebayo Onajole, warned that flooding linked to unusual rainfall could trigger disease outbreaks and worsen living conditions in affected communities.

According to him, increased rainfall creates stagnant water bodies that promote the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, while rising temperatures accelerate disease transmission.

“When rainfall increases, disease occurrence usually rises. Flooding also damages homes, displaces families, and creates overcrowded shelters, which further threatens public health,” Onajole said.

He urged the government to integrate climate risks into housing and urban development policies to protect lives and property.

Call for improved drainage and preparedness

The President of the Africa Environmental Health Organisation, Afolabi Abiodun, called on governments at all levels to strengthen emergency response systems and invest in drainage infrastructure to reduce flood risks.

He stressed the need for improved maintenance of drainage channels, rivers, and waterways, noting that blocked drains worsen flooding during heavy rainfall.

“Flooding has become more frequent, and response has often been inadequate. What we need is preparedness, clear emergency plans, proactive infrastructure maintenance, and timely intervention,” Abiodun said.

He also urged residents to stop dumping waste in drainage channels, warning that human activities often worsen flood disasters.

As climate change continues to reshape Nigeria’s weather patterns, experts say safeguarding housing and infrastructure will require coordinated action, improved urban planning, and early preparedness to reduce the impact of looming floods.

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather forecast for Nigeria starting today, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, predicting sunshine and scattered thunderstorms across the country through Thursday, February 5.

NiMet’s outlook anticipates sunny skies in northern Nigeria throughout Tuesday, with the North-Central region seeing a few patches of clouds and a hazy atmosphere. Isolated thunderstorms may occur over parts of Southern Kwara, southern Kogi, and southern Benue during the afternoon.

In southern Nigeria, NiMet expects mostly sunny skies with intermittent clouds. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms, along with light rains, are likely in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers States.

For Wednesday and Thursday, the northern region will remain largely sunny, with slim chances of isolated thunderstorms in some areas. The southern region will continue to see occasional thunderstorms, particularly in Bayelsa and Cross River States.

NiMet advised residents to take precautions due to dust particles in the atmosphere, which could affect those with respiratory conditions. Drivers should exercise caution in rainy weather, and airline operators are advised to check airport-specific weather reports.

Residents are encouraged to stay updated through NiMet’s official website at www.nimet.gov.ng.

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a weather advisory predicting three days of haze and intermittent sunshine across Nigeria, beginning Wednesday, January 7, through Friday.

In its latest outlook, the agency said northern and central states will experience predominantly sunny but hazy conditions, with suspended dust particles expected to reduce visibility, especially during afternoon and evening hours.

South to See Clouds, Isolated Rain

For southern Nigeria, NiMet forecast sunny skies with cloud patches, alongside isolated thunderstorms and light rainfall in parts of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia, Edo and Anambra states at different periods of the forecast window.

The agency noted that rainfall activity may occur in the morning hours in some coastal states and extend into the late afternoon and evening in others.

Health and Travel Advisory

NiMet cautioned that dust haze across the North-Central and northern regions could pose health risks, urging people with asthma, respiratory conditions and allergies to take necessary precautions.

Motorists were advised to drive with caution during rainfall, while airline operators were encouraged to obtain airport-specific weather reports to aid operational planning.

Residents were also advised to stay updated through official NiMet weather bulletins as conditions evolve.

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In its official weather update released on Friday in Abuja, NiMet warned that early morning thunderstorms will affect parts of Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Adamawa on Saturday.

As the day progresses, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Borno, Sokoto, Gombe, and Bauchi, in addition to the earlier mentioned states.

North-Central Weather Forecast

On Saturday morning, thunderstorms may develop over:

•Benue

•Plateau

•Niger

•Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

•Nasarawa

Later in the day, rain and thunderstorms are expected in:

•Kwara

•Kogi

•The rest of North-Central states

Southern Nigeria: Cloudy Start, Wet Finish

Southern states will experience a mix of cloud cover and morning rain in areas such as:

•Enugu

•Ebonyi

•Cross River

•Lagos

•Akwa Ibom

•Rivers

•Bayelsa

By the afternoon, isolated thunderstorms and rainfall may affect:

•Imo

•Abia

•Anambra

•Ondo

•Oyo

•Ogun

•Ekiti

•Edo

•Delta

Sunday Weather Outlook

Early Sunday thunderstorms are likely in:

•Kaduna

•Kebbi

•Adamawa

•Taraba

Later in the day, more storms are expected across:

•Gombe

•Bauchi

•Zamfara

In the North-Central region, there will be intermittent sunshine and cloud cover, with the chance of storms in:

•Kogi

•Kwara

•Nasarawa

•Niger

•Benue

•FCT

For the South, morning rain is expected in:

•Delta

•Lagos

•Rivers

•Bayelsa

•Cross River

•Akwa Ibom

Later in the day, widespread thunderstorms and rain may occur across:

•Imo

•Enugu

•Abia

•Edo

•Ogun

•Oyo

•Ekiti

Monday: Continued Rain Across Regions

On Monday morning, parts of Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Adamawa, and Taraba may again experience thunderstorms.

Rain and thunder are also likely later in the day in:

•Kano

•Katsina

•Gombe

•Bauchi

Central Nigeria will see more rainfall and thunderstorms, especially in:

•FCT

•Nasarawa

•Benue

•Niger

•Kogi

In the South, light morning rain is possible in:

•Ogun

•Edo

•Ondo

•Delta

•Bayelsa

Later in the afternoon, isolated thunderstorms are forecast across most of the southern states.

Public Safety Advisory

NiMet advises the public to stay alert and take precautions during this weather period:

•Secure loose items that could be blown by strong winds.

•Avoid standing under trees during storms.

•Unplug electrical appliances during thunderstorms.

•Monitor weather reports regularly.

Air travelers are encouraged to request airport-specific forecasts for flight planning.

For up-to-date weather information, visit www.nimet.gov.ng.

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