By Abdullahi Lukman
The threat of flooding to Nigeria’s food supply is deepening as farmers in several states report damaged farmlands, destroyed crops and livestock losses following weeks of heavy rainfall and fresh warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Farmers in flood-prone communities said rising waters had submerged farms and destroyed immature crops, forcing some to harvest prematurely in an effort to salvage what remained.
They warned that prolonged flooding could reduce food supplies to local markets and push prices higher in the coming weeks.
The affected states include Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia, while authorities in other states have also intensified preparations against possible flooding.
Farmers said the impact could extend beyond crop production, with livestock owners facing the risk of losing poultry, goats, pigs and other animals if they are unable to move them to safer areas before floodwaters rise.
In Bayelsa, where many communities are located in riverine and low-lying areas, the state government has stepped up efforts to clear waterways and drainage channels.
The Director-General of the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, Surveyor Chief Omuso Kari, said the government was using swamp buggies to clear blocked waterways but required additional equipment to tackle larger channels.
Kari identified Ikoli Creek as a major concern, saying drone surveillance had revealed blocked sections restricting the movement of water.
He added that five locations had been identified for elevated shelters where residents could seek refuge during flooding.
He said delayed funding had affected the timing of this year’s flood-control operations, noting that funds were released in June instead of April.
The Chief Executive Officer of Agri Echo Resource Foundation, Martin Eyomiowei, urged farmers, particularly those cultivating lowland areas, to immediately move vulnerable crops, livestock and valuables to higher ground. He also called for access to flood-resistant seedlings, emergency funding and stronger flood-protection measures.
In Kogi, authorities have intensified evacuation campaigns as water levels in the Niger and Benue rivers rise. The state Emergency Management Agency identified Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Bassa, Ofu, Koton Karfe and Omala as among the areas at high risk.
The agency’s Executive Secretary, Mouktar Atimah, urged residents in vulnerable communities to cooperate with government agencies, traditional institutions and humanitarian organisations.
Emergency officials, working with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have also intensified sensitisation campaigns in communities including Adankolo and Ganaja.
Residents, however, said financial difficulties, concern over property and attachment to ancestral homes were among the reasons some people remained reluctant to relocate.
In Imo, the National Emergency Management Agency said it had begun evacuating residents from flood-affected areas, including Works Layout, Umuguma, Akwakuma and Amakohia, to safer locations.
NEMA official Nweze Innocent said flooding had already damaged parts of farmlands and could reduce agricultural productivity.
Farmers also reported losing crops and seeds to torrential rainfall and called for government assistance.
Delta State has similarly intensified monitoring of flood-prone communities, with officials inspecting areas affected by rising water levels in the River Niger.
The state government said relief materials, water-treatment supplies and first-aid items had been pre-positioned, while shelters had been identified in several local government areas. Officials also warned residents in vulnerable locations to move to higher ground.
In Ugbolu, however, rising floodwaters had already submerged large portions of farmland. Farmers warned that continued flooding could lead to food shortages, reduced incomes and difficulties meeting market demand.
In Enugu, flooding has affected communities in Aninri Local Government Area, including Mpu, Okpanku, Ndiabor and Oduma. Houses, shops, rice mills and farmlands have been damaged, while rice, yam and cassava farms were submerged.
Residents displaced by the flooding have sought
shelter in safer locations, including Amachalla Town School. The state emergency agency confirmed that flooding had affected parts of the state, while authorities directed local councils to prepare existing holding camps for possible evacuation from high-risk areas.
Ondo State has also intensified flood preparedness through public sensitisation, drainage clearance and coordination with the National Emergency Management Agency. Officials have urged residents to keep waterways free of refuse and comply with safety warnings.
In Oyo State, the emergency management agency has activated a sensor-based early warning system capable of monitoring water levels and providing flood alerts up to 72 hours in advance.
The system is being deployed particularly in vulnerable areas, including Akinyele, Egbeda and Oluyole.
Farmers in the state said they were adopting measures such as local drainage systems, flood-tolerant crops and elevated areas for livestock to reduce the impact of flooding.
Agricultural stakeholders warned that beyond the immediate destruction of crops, prolonged flooding could disrupt food distribution, damage livestock and increase the risk of disease, placing additional pressure on an already vulnerable food supply chain.
Leadership Newspaper
