The National Emergency Management Agency has called on state governments across Nigeria to immediately begin proactive measures aimed at preventing and mitigating flooding following predictions that more than 30 states may witness severe flooding during the 2026 rainy season.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday night after a courtesy visit by the Director-General of the agency, Zubaida Umar, where she stressed the urgent need for preparedness at both state and grassroots levels. According to the statement, the NEMA boss expressed concern over forecasts indicating that many parts of the country remain vulnerable to devastating floods capable of causing destruction to lives, farmlands, infrastructure, and economic activities if preventive steps are not taken promptly.
Umar urged governors and relevant authorities to treat the flood predictions with seriousness by activating emergency response mechanisms ahead of the peak rainfall period rather than waiting for disasters to occur before reacting. She noted that the increasing impact of climate-related disasters across the country has made disaster preparedness more important than ever, emphasizing that early action would significantly reduce casualties and losses.
The statement highlighted several preventive measures expected from state governments, including the reintroduction and strict enforcement of monthly environmental sanitation exercises aimed at improving cleanliness and reducing blockages in urban drainage systems. NEMA also advised states to ensure the regular clearing and desilting of drainages, canals, and waterways to allow the free flow of water during heavy rainfall, noting that blocked drainage channels remain one of the major causes of urban flooding in many Nigerian cities.
According to the agency, state governments should also strengthen and adequately support their respective State Emergency Management Agencies to improve coordination, rapid response capacity, and public awareness campaigns ahead of possible flood incidents. The statement further stressed the importance of inaugurating and ensuring the effective operation of Local Emergency Management Committees at the grassroots level, explaining that local communities are often the first affected during disasters and therefore require functional structures capable of responding swiftly to emergencies.
Umar reportedly stated that grassroots disaster management committees would help improve early warning dissemination, evacuation coordination, and emergency communication between vulnerable communities and government agencies. The NEMA Director-General also encouraged states to intensify sensitisation campaigns to educate residents living in flood-prone areas about safety measures, environmental responsibility, and the dangers associated with indiscriminate dumping of refuse into waterways.
She warned that failure to take preventive measures could expose millions of residents to avoidable humanitarian crises, including displacement, disease outbreaks, destruction of homes, and disruption of livelihoods. Over the years, flooding has remained one of the most recurring natural disasters in Nigeria, affecting communities across several states during intense rainfall periods.
Experts have repeatedly linked the severity of floods to poor urban planning, blocked drainage systems, environmental degradation, and the impact of climate change. In recent years, major floods have displaced thousands of residents, destroyed roads and bridges, submerged farmlands, and triggered economic losses running into billions of naira across different parts of the country.
Stakeholders in disaster management have consistently emphasized the importance of preparedness, environmental sanitation, and inter-agency collaboration in reducing the impact of flooding nationwide. Observers say the latest warning by National Emergency Management Agency serves as an early alert for authorities at all levels to prioritise preventive action and strengthen emergency response systems before the height of the rainy season.
They also noted that coordinated efforts involving federal agencies, state governments, local councils, traditional institutions, and residents would be critical to reducing the humanitarian and economic consequences of the predicted floods in 2026.
As rainfall intensifies in different parts of the country, many Nigerians are expected to look toward government agencies for timely interventions, improved drainage infrastructure, and effective emergency preparedness measures capable of safeguarding vulnerable communities from disaster.
