LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Ahead of the 2026 rainy season, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on state governments across Nigeria to begin immediate flood prevention measures to reduce the impact of predicted flooding.
The warning followed forecasts indicating that over 30 states may experience severe flooding in the coming months, raising concerns over possible loss of lives, destruction of property, displacement of residents, and damage to farmlands.
In a statement released on Wednesday night after a courtesy visit by NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar, the agency stressed the need for urgent preparedness efforts at state and local government levels.
In the statement, Umar advised states to adopt proactive strategies capable of reducing flood risks before heavy rainfall begins.
Among the measures recommended were the reintroduction of monthly environmental sanitation exercises, regular clearing of drainages, stronger support for State Emergency Management Agencies, and a fully operational Local Emergency Management Committees at community level.
The NEMA boss also revealed that the agency had developed a 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness, Mitigation Framework to improve the country’s response to flood threats.
“She added that through NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System, the Agency has identified flood risk profiles and produced vulnerability maps for at-risk communities across the country to support targeted disaster risk reduction planning by Federal, State, and Local Governments,” the statement noted.
Furthermore, Umar appealed to traditional rulers, religious groups, women associations, youth organizations, media outlets, and private sector stakeholders to help spread early warning information within vulnerable communities.
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The agency maintained that stronger public awareness campaigns could improve community preparedness, reduce panic, and support faster emergency response during flood disasters.
Responding during the visit, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State commended NEMA for intensifying disaster preparedness efforts ahead of the rainy season, especially through its early warning campaigns.
“The Governor assured that the Adamawa State Government would carefully consider and implement the recommendations and advice provided by the DG NEMA to reduce the impact of flooding in the state,” the statement added.
Fintiri also appreciated NEMA’s continued support to Adamawa State during emergency situations and disaster response operations.
Participants at the awareness event included officials from Adamawa, Taraba State Emergency Management Agencies, local government representatives, volunteers, members of stakeholder organizations, and media practitioners.
Nigeria experiences major flooding almost every rainy season, with many communities and its people affected by the destruction.
Notably, experts have linked the worsening flood situation in recent years to blocked drainage systems, poor urban planning, climate change, and illegal construction on waterways.
The renewed warning highlights the growing need for preventive climate action and stronger disaster preparedness systems to protect vulnerable communities from recurring flood disasters across the country.
