The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has identified 148 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 31 states as highly probable flood risk areas for 2024. This warning was issued during the unveiling of the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) in Abuja, with a focus on promoting the use of data analytics and modeling for flood risk assessments and food security. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) leads the yearly predictions.
These identified states include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Yobe. Utsev stressed the importance of proactive measures to mitigate potential flood impacts in these areas, highlighting the need for preparedness, early warning systems, and community engagement.
The minister emphasized that the high flood risk areas are expected to experience potential impacts on population, agriculture, livelihoods, livestock, infrastructure, and the environment from April to November 2024. He also noted that the theme of this year's AFO aligns with the Presidential Agenda on Food Security, aiming to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty and advance national prosperity.
Utsev highlighted the recurring and severe flood disasters Nigeria has faced, with 2012 being one of the most devastating recorded events. He mentioned the catastrophic 2022 floods, termed the worst in the country's history, which resulted in significant economic damage. To address ongoing challenges, President Bola Tinubu initiated the National Economic Council Ad-hoc Committee on Flood Mitigation, Adaptation, Preparedness, and Response.
In collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), the partnership aims to enhance disaster preparedness and mitigate the impact of flooding through early warning systems. The director general of NIMET, Prof. Charles Anosike, stressed the importance of leveraging data, analytics, and modeling in flood risk assessment and management. He reaffirmed NIMET's commitment to providing comprehensive meteorological insights for informed decision-making.
