The Federal Government (FG) has released the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, and it’s flagged major flood risks for Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi and 29 other states.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Prof. Joseph Utsev presented the outlook prepared by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in Abuja
With high flood-risk states including: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara,_ and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) bringing the number to 33 states and FCT.
1,249 communities in 176 LGAs are in said to be in high Flood Risk Areas, 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs fall under Moderate Flood Risk. Flash & urban flooding are expected in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Asaba, Benin City, Birnin-Kebbi, Warri, Yola, etc.due to heavy rainfall and poor drainage. Coastal & riverine flooding anticipated are in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Ondo due to sea level rise and tidal surges.
The risk period of the flood is said to run from April to November 2026.
Utsev stressed flooding is one of Nigeria’s most devastating natural disasters and climate change is increasing frequency/severity. In 2022, floods killed about 600 plus and displaced about 1.4M.
NIHSA has told states/emergency agencies to monitor flood dashboards, activate evacuation plans, and clear drainage.
Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi specifically are all listed as high-risk states. Delta and Bayelsa also face added coastal/riverine flood threats from sea level rise.
