The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has identified 11 local government areas in Niger State as high-risk flood zones ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
The affected LGAs include Agaie, Bida, Borgu, Edati, Gbako, Katcha, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mashegu and Mokwa.
Zubaida Umar, NEMA’s director-general made the disclosure on Thursday during a stakeholders’ engagement in Minna on the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on flood disasters and related hazards.
She was represented by Abdulrazak Adebiye, the North Central zonal director of the agency.
According to the agency, the classification was based on projections from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which indicated heightened flood vulnerability across multiple states.
NEMA further revealed that 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory fall within high-risk flood zones nationwide, while 148 local government areas in 14 states have been categorised as moderate-risk areas.
The agency warned that the anticipated weather conditions could include irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, higher temperatures and shorter growing seasons, all of which could worsen the impact of flooding on agriculture, infrastructure, health, transportation and livelihoods.
It noted that recurring flood disasters in Nigeria continue to cause loss of lives, displacement of residents and destruction of property, stressing the need for stronger preparedness and coordination among stakeholders.
NEMA outlined mitigation measures including early warning systems, community sensitisation, evacuation planning, prepositioning of relief materials and training of local emergency responders.
Officials also confirmed that vulnerability maps have been developed for at-risk communities, while technical teams will be deployed for grassroots awareness campaigns.
Stakeholders at the meeting, including representatives of traditional institutions and state emergency agencies, called for stronger collaboration and improved operational readiness to reduce the impact of flooding in the 2026 rainy season.
