Nigeria 2026 Flood Outlook Released

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a warning that 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory are projected to experience significant flooding in 2026, with 14,118 communities identified as high-risk areas. This forecast was presented by Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, at the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria — Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). President Bola Tinubu's administration has initiated policies and programs, including flood control projects, to address this persistent threat. The Nigeria — Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has upgraded its forecasting system to a hybrid AI-integrated model to improve accuracy and lead time, and is enhancing collaboration with the Japan — Japan Meteorological Agency and the United States — Federal Emergency Management Agency for better early warning dissemination. State governments are urged to integrate flood risk considerations into land-use planning and improve drainage systems to mitigate the anticipated impacts.