The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned that 15 states across the country are at risk of significant flooding between September 19 and 25, 2026.
The warning was contained in the agency’s latest National Flood Advisory issued by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Umar Mohammed.
According to the advisory, rising river levels could trigger flooding in several riverine communities, with residents in flood-prone areas urged to prepare for possible relocation to higher ground.
NiHSA identified Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kogi, Delta, Abia, Taraba and Rivers among the states expected to be affected, alongside other areas identified in the advisory.
The agency said the anticipated flooding could affect communities as well as critical public facilities, including schools, healthcare centres, markets, religious buildings and farmlands.
In Imo State, several local government areas were listed as vulnerable, with 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings identified as exposed.
Cross River was also identified as a major risk area, with 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland listed among the exposed assets.
In Ebonyi, the advisory identified 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland as being exposed to possible flooding.
For Benue State, the affected areas include Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum. The agency listed 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland as exposed.
Anambra was also placed among the states facing flood risks, with Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum among the affected local government areas.
NiHSA estimated that 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland in the state could be affected.
In Akwa Ibom, the agency listed Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono among the vulnerable areas.
The advisory identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings in the state as exposed to the forecast flood risk.
NiHSA specifically advised communities located along floodplains to remain alert to rising water levels and make arrangements to move to safer and higher locations when necessary.
The agency also urged state governments and relevant emergency management authorities to take early action to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure.
The latest warning comes amid Nigeria’s broader 2026 flood outlook, which had earlier identified numerous communities across the country as vulnerable to varying levels of flooding during the rainy season.
