By Awyetu Asabe Hope
Nigeria’s hydrological agency has warned of high riverine flood risk in parts of 15 states through September 25, urging communities on floodplains to move people, livestock and valuables to safer ground.
The National Flood Advisory identifies more than 8,000 communities and over 4,500 schools within exposure areas, according to NiHSA’s assessment. The advisory, identified as NFA-2026-262, covers the period from September 19 to 25.
The states named are Imo, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, Taraba, Rivers and Lagos.
NiHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, said rising river stages could trigger flooding and identified nine river stations requiring close monitoring, including Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River.
In Lagos, the State Government has directed residents of low-lying and flood-prone communities to relocate immediately. The directive was issued on Monday and remains in force today.
“The Lagos State Government has directed residents of low-lying and flood-prone communities to relocate to higher ground following a fresh seven-day flood warning,” the government said in a statement.
Areas specifically identified as vulnerable in Lagos include Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri near the seaport, Ilaje Waterfront Jetty and Jetty Terminal B, as well as communities along the Ogun River including Isheri North, Kara, Majidun and Agboyi.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, warned residents not to wait for water to rise.
“We are urging Lagosians, particularly those living in flood-prone and low-lying areas, not to take this warning lightly. When the signs point to danger, the safest decision is to move early. No property is worth risking a life,” Wahab said.
NiHSA urged state emergency agencies to use its flood dashboard for local updates and pre-position relief materials, noting that Lagos typically experiences a second peak of rains in September with tidal influences worsening flooding.
