The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the 2025 has revealed that so far 191 people have lost their lives to flooding in Niger, Adamawa, Gombe, and Borno states as at last week.
This is contained in the 2025 Flood Dashboard update which also gave the breakdown of casualties recorded with Niger State topping the list with a death toll of 163, followed by Adamawa with 26. Gombe and Borno states each recorded one death.
The data further shows that no fewer than 140,228 persons nationwide have been affected by flooding in 52 local Government Areas (LGAs) across 21 states in the country.
A breakdown shows that 49,205 people have been displaced, while 94 individuals are declared missing.
In addition, 239 people sustained varying degrees of injury, 10,663 houses were damaged, and 9,454 farmlands destroyed across the 21 affected states.
Among those severely impacted were 62,393 children, 43,531 women, 28,505 men, 5,799 elderly people, and 1,887 persons living with disabilities.
The figures also revealed that Imo State recorded the highest number of affected and displaced persons — 28,030 and 15,107 respectively — followed by Rivers State with 22,345 affected and 9,645 displaced.
Adamawa State had 12,613 affected and 5,808 displaced, while Abia recorded 11,907 affected and 4,896 displaced persons.
Other states affected by the flooding include the FCT, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, and Sokoto.
Meanwhile, Lagos State recently joined the list of affected states, with over 5,793 persons impacted, 1,164 houses damaged, and 1,149 persons displaced across five LGAs in the state.
In another development, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has said his administration is intentional and deliberate in preventing emergency situations, especially flooding, and will continue to adopt proactive measures to safeguard lives and property.
He stated this on Sunday, August 10, 2025, while receiving a delegation from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the World Bank Group during a courtesy visit, ahead of the flag-off ceremony for the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) project in the state.
Welcoming the team, Governor Aiyedatiwa described Ondo State’s inclusion among the seven states selected for the project as a privilege, noting that it was not because the state is the most prone to disasters, but due to its proactive stance and the commitment of his administration to disaster prevention.
“We are intentional and deliberate about preventing emergencies, especially in the area of flood control. The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Infrastructure are working together to deploy our swamp buggy machine for extensive channelization before the rains start. This is why we have largely been spared of major flooding this year, except for rising water levels in riverine areas,” the governor said.
Gpvernor Aiyedatiwa also highlighted the state’s swift response to a recent incident where strong winds damaged the Akure Airport tower, restoring normal operations within three days to avoid disruption of air travel.
He further lamented the long-standing sea incursion in Aiyetoro community, describing it as a pathetic situation that had defied past measures.
“The Aiyetoro case is a major problem that requires careful design. Nothing concrete had been done before now, but with the current approach, I believe we will finally provide a lasting solution for Aiyetoro and other affected communities,” Aiyedatiwa assured.
The Governor urged residents to support government efforts by refraining from dumping waste into drainage channels or erecting structures that could block waterways and worsen flooding.
Earlier, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Mr. Badele Onimode, explained that the EPR project, supported by the World Bank, is designed to help Ondo State develop a robust emergency response plan.
According to him, the project will involve hazard mapping, community sensitization, data collection and analysis, and training of residents on appropriate response measures during disasters.
“This project is taking place in only seven states in Nigeria, and Ondo was chosen because of the state government’s commitment to disaster preparedness. The World Bank will also identify specific projects in the state for possible support,” Onimode said.
He appealed to the state government to ensure the sustainability of the project by integrating it into its long-term development plans.
On the role of the World Bank in the project, Mr. Francis Nkoka explained that the institution’s mandate is not only to provide financial assistance to both the state and federal governments, but also to offer technical support.
“In our discussions with NEMA, we recognized the need to place strong emphasis on preparedness. However, we also understand that, despite our best efforts, disasters can still occur. Therefore, we must also strengthen the capacity to respond effectively when they happen,” Nkoka said.
He added that the World Bank would work closely with NEMA to guide the process, offering technical expertise in preparedness assessments as well as in enhancing emergency response capabilities.
In attendance were Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Head of Service, Bayo Philip, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, among others.
NEMA embarks on sensitization campaign
Meanwhile, NEMA commenced an aggressive sensitization campaign across major cities in Niger, Borno and Rivers states last week.
In Niger state, the agency’s operational office in Minna in collaboration with the NEMA/NYSC Emergency Management Vanguards (EMVs) Community Development Service (CDS) groups in Bosso LGA, carried out a flood sensitization campaign at Maikunkele Market in Niger State.
The exercise was aimed at raising awareness among traders, market women, and the general public on the dangers of flooding, early warning signs, and practical preventive measures to reduce its impact, particularly during the peak of the rainy season.
A similar campaign aimed at strengthen grassroots disaster preparedness, the Kebbi state operation office on Thursday 7th August 2025, conducted a full-scale flood simulation exercise in Dukku, a riverine community on the outskirts of Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Dukku has been identified as one of the high-risk communities vulnerable to severe flooding in the 2025 season, with a river running through the settlement increasing its exposure to flood hazards.
The simulation exercise, organized in collaboration with the Kebbi State Government, was designed to test flood response plans, improve stakeholder coordination, and raise public awareness of potential disasters. It is part of NEMA’s broader preparedness strategy targeting flood-prone areas across Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central zones.
Leading the exercise was the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who emphasized the importance of readiness and collaboration in saving lives during disasters. She noted that the simulation was aimed at enhancing coordination, communication, and operational efficiency among all disaster response stakeholders.
She said “as we all know, flooding remains one of the most recurrent and devastating natural disasters in Nigeria, with far-reaching impacts on lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and communities. We are simulating a crisis today so that we are better prepared to save lives when it becomes a reality. Let me reiterate that preparedness saves lives.”
In Rivers State, the head of Port Harcourt Operations Office, Mr. Eric Ebhodaghe, led a team of officers, accompanied by a staff member of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), on a monitoring visit to Odhionugboji community, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
According to him, the mission was aimed at assessing the current water level of the Orashi River and evaluating its potential threat to surrounding communities identified as being at high risk of flooding.
Upon arrival, the team was warmly received by the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mr. Chikere G. Roman, who guided them to the inspection point along the riverbank.
During the visit, the team also inspected the community secondary school and town hall, both of which have been designated as temporary shelters in the event of an impending flood incident.
Mr. Ebhodaghe advised the CDC Chairman to encourage residents to continuously monitor the river’s water level and, in the event of a threatening rise, to evacuate immediately to safe grounds and alert relevant authorities.
He further stressed the need for proper maintenance of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) site, urging the community to mobilize youths to clear grasses within and around the facility’s premises to ensure it remains accessible and safe for use during emergencies.
