Floods Impact 140,228 People Across 21 Nigerian States, NEMA Reports.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that devastating floods have affected 140,228 individuals across 21 states in Nigeria this year, with 49,205 people displaced from their homes. The agency’s 2025 Flood Dashboard update highlights the severe toll of the flooding, particularly in Niger, Adamawa, Gombe, and Borno states, where 191 lives have been lost.
NEMA has mobilised emergency response teams to Kogi State, one of the hardest-hit areas, to conduct search and rescue operations and provide critical support. Water purification equipment has been deployed to ensure access to clean water for affected communities. The agency is also collaborating with state emergency agencies, the Nigerian Red Cross, and humanitarian partners to deliver relief efforts, including food, shelter, and medical supplies.
In Kogi State, floods have submerged over 61,000 hectares of farmland, destroying crops such as rice, yams, and cassava, threatening food security in the region. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had previously warned of potential flash floods in 15 states, including Niger, due to heavy rainfall and poor infrastructure. NEMA has prepositioned equipment in high-risk states like Anambra, Benue, and Taraba to facilitate evacuations and establish emergency operations centres.
The floods, exacerbated by climate change and inadequate drainage systems, have caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure. In Mokwa, Niger State, a recent flash flood claimed over 150 lives and displaced 3,000 people, with many still missing. The Nigerian government, supported by UN agencies and the Red Cross, is intensifying efforts to provide humanitarian aid, including temporary shelters and medical care.
President Bola Tinubu has assured affected communities that relief materials and temporary shelters are being deployed promptly. NEMA continues to monitor water levels in the Niger and Benue rivers, which remain at alarming levels, indicating a persistent risk of further flooding. The agency has urged residents in at-risk areas to relocate to safer grounds and avoid building on waterways to mitigate future disasters.
