NEMA Identifies 11 Local Governments in Niger State as Prone to Severe Flooding

The National Emergency Management Agency has pinpointed 11 Local Government Areas in Niger as high-risk zones for flooding in the upcoming 2026 rainy season, according to a statement made by Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, in Minna on Thursday.

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Umar, who was represented by Mr Abdulrazak Adebiye, North Central Zonal Director of NEMA, disclosed this information at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on flood disaster and related hazards, which had the theme “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Community in Nigeria”.

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The 11 affected local government areas in Niger are Agaie, Bida, Borgu, Edati, Gbako, Katcha, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mashegu, and Mokwa, as identified by NEMA based on the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

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Nationally, 23 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, covering 132 local government areas, are classified as high flood-risk zones, while 148 local government areas in 14 states are deemed moderate-risk areas, highlighting the need for urgent action.

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Umar stressed that the recurring impact of flooding in Nigeria demands a collective and urgent response, as flood disasters result in loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, and disruption of livelihoods, in addition to causing injuries, displacement, and loss of savings.

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Expert review meetings convened by NEMA on March 31 and April 1 assessed the implications of the forecasts and evolving climate conditions, revealing possible delayed or erratic rainfall onset, shorter growing seasons, above-normal rainfall in some areas, prolonged dry spells, and increased temperatures.

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These projected climate conditions could have negative effects on agriculture, healthcare, transportation, energy, water supply, education, and public wellbeing if proactive measures are not taken, underscoring the importance of preparedness and mitigation strategies.

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NEMA has developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to minimize the impact of flooding nationwide, which includes measures such as capacity building for local responders, simulation and tabletop exercises, and prepositioning of relief materials.

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Other mitigation measures include strict adherence to rainfall and flood advisories, development of evacuation plans, and production of vulnerability maps for identified communities, with technical teams to be deployed to states for grassroots sensitisation and direct community engagement.

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Earlier, the Head of NEMA Minna Operations Office, Mr Hussaini Isah, emphasized that disasters are consequences of poor planning, weak institutions, and inadequate preparedness, highlighting the need for collective strategizing and strong partnership among stakeholders for effective flood management in 2026.

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Isah noted that the successes recorded in flood management in 2025 were due to strong partnership among stakeholders, and called for stakeholders to define their roles and responsibilities and establish clear rules of engagement for effective flood management in 2026.

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Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, disclosed that the state had established an Emergency Operations Centre, which is yet to become fully operational due to a shortage of personnel.

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In goodwill messages, the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk, represented by Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, pledged the support of traditional institutions in promoting early warning systems and public sensitisation, while Alhaji Akilu Musa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, called for stronger synergy among stakeholders in disaster management.

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Dr Zainab Ndanusa, Head, Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, NEMA Minna Operations Office, stated that Lapai Local Government Area is projected to record the highest rainfall of 1,329mm during the season, with Agaie expected to record 1,321mm, and rainfall in the state likely to continue until October 15.