The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says improved flood mitigation efforts have significantly reduced fatalities and impact across Nigeria.
According to the agency, flood-related deaths dropped from over 1,000 in 2024 to 241 in 2025, while the number of affected persons declined sharply from over five million to less than 500,000.
Speaking in Abuja, NEMA official Dapo Akingboade attributed the improvement to early warning systems and better coordination with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
”We were able to achieve this great feat in 2025 through collective responsibility and improved data coordination.
”The early dissemination and release of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) from NiMet was very valuable…” he said.
Despite the progress, NEMA noted ongoing challenges such as poor drainage systems and reluctance of residents in high-risk areas to relocate.
Meanwhile, NiMet meteorologist Abubakar Sadiq said 2026 weather conditions are expected to be near normal.
“Climate is changing day by day… For 2026, we are looking at an ENSO-neutral phase… which suggests a near-normal situation over the country,” Sadiq explained.
