That is a timely and critical move by NEMA. Given that it’s currently May 2026, the window for prevention is closing fast. The agency’s focus on Adamawa and Cross River is strategic, as both states are currently classified as high-risk zones in the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook.
​NEMA’s urgency regarding the June deadline is based on the hydrological reality that once the soil becomes fully saturated, it loses its ability to absorb further rainfall.
Any rain that falls after saturation immediately becomes surface runoff. Without clear drainages (desilting), this runoff has nowhere to go, leading to rapid flash floods and the overflow of major river systems like the Benue in Adamawa.
​NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar has been personally flagging off these awareness campaigns this month (May 2026) to ensure state governments aren’t caught off guard.
Beyond just desilting, NEMA is pushing for a “preparedness over reaction” model. Governments are urged to enforce strict environmental cleaning to keep waste out of waterways.
Traditional and religious leaders are being asked to amplify early warning messages to the “last mile” (grassroots).
​It’s a race against the clouds now. if those drainages aren’t cleared by the time the heavy June rains hit, the infrastructure effectively becomes a funnel for disaster rather than a shield.
