News
Lagos, Kwara, Jigawa, 30 other states will experience flooding this year: Minister
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has said about 33 states and the FCT will experience flooding in 2026, with 14,118 communities identified as high-risk nationwide.
Mr Utsev disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday at the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
He said the high-risk communities were located in 266 Local Government Areas (LGAs) based on scientific forecasts and hydrological assessments.
The affected states according to him are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano.
Others include Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara, including the FCT.
The minister said that 15,597 communities in 405 LGAs across 35 states would face moderate flood risk, while Ekiti State remained the only state not affected.
He added that 923 communities in 77 LGAs across 24 states fell within the low flood risk category.
”States in this category include Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara,” he said.
He warned of possible flash and urban flooding in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Kano.
He said coastal and riverine flooding is expected in Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Ondo states due to rising sea levels and tidal surges.
He stated, “The AFO is not just a scientific report; it is a call to action. Early warning saves lives and reduces economic losses.”
Mr Utsev attributed increasing flood incidents to climate variability, rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure and poor land-use practices.
He noted that the Federal Government was strengthening hydrological monitoring through improved data systems, automated river gauges and advanced modelling techniques.
He added that collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were being enhanced to improve forecast accuracy and early warning dissemination.
The minister urged state governments to integrate flood risk considerations into land-use planning, urban development and infrastructure design.
He also called for improved drainage systems, effective floodplain management and stronger community preparedness to minimise impacts.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said flooding remained a major national challenge, with recurring incidents recorded since 2012.
Mr Tinubu said his administration had initiated policies and programmes, including flood control projects, to address the persistent threat.
He said that the 2024 Maiduguri flood marked a turning point toward proactive flood and disaster management.
According to him, the Anticipatory Action initiative, led by the Office of the Vice-President, is strengthening early warning, preparedness and coordinated response.
Mr Tinubu described the AFO as a key planning document guiding early action, mitigation and evacuation strategies nationwide.
He urged stakeholders to utilise the forecasts to protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
The president also emphasised the need to harness water resources to drive economic diversification and sustainable development.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed, said the forecast was based on comprehensive, data-driven analysis of flood-prone areas.
Mr Mohammed said the AFO served as an early warning tool to support planning and coordinated disaster response nationwide.
He added that the agency had upgraded its forecasting system to a hybrid AI-integrated model to improve accuracy and lead time.
He also said that the Flood Dashboard now enabled real-time monitoring and dissemination of alerts to stakeholders.
He urged residents in vulnerable areas to heed early warnings and adopt preventive measures to reduce risks.
The NIHSA director general called for wider dissemination of the outlook to strengthen preparedness and resilience in communities.
He appreciated the Federal Government and development partners for their support in the preparation of the 2026 outlook.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the World Meteorological Organisation, NiMet, NEMA, the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Maiha, and other stakeholders.
(NAN)
Former Nigeria U17 international Adewale Quadri, popularly known as “Ostilo” among teammates and close friends, has officially commenced trials with Turkish giants Beşiktaş J.K. youth team.
The highly-rated Nigerian youngster is currently being evaluated by the Istanbul-based club as he continues his pursuit of a breakthrough opportunity in European football.
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Sources close to the player indicate that Quadri has already begun making positive impressions during the trial period with his performances, attitude, and work ethic attracting attention within the club setup.
The talented prospect has reportedly shown strong determination, technical ability, maturity on the ball, and attacking quality during training sessions and evaluation matches.
Known for his confidence, creativity, and energetic style of play, the former Nigeria U17 player continues to strengthen his reputation as one of the exciting young Nigerian talents aiming to establish themselves abroad.
Beşiktaş—popularly known as the Kara Kartallar (Black Eagles)—remain one of the biggest and most historic clubs in Turkish football, making the opportunity another important milestone in Quadri’s young career.
Football followers and supporters close to the player remain hopeful that the talented Nigerian can successfully complete the process and secure a permanent place within the club’s development system.
For Adewale Quadri, the trial represents another major step toward achieving his European football dream while proudly representing Nigeria on the international stage.
As the evaluations continue in Turkey, many will now be eagerly waiting for positive news regarding the future of the promising youngster known as “Ostilo.”
Business
FAAN announces additional health screening measures, enhanced Ebola surveillance at Nigerian airports
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured travellers and other airport users that enhanced health surveillance measures have been activated across the country’s international airports following renewed Ebola concerns in parts of Central Africa.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, FAAN said the measures were introduced in collaboration with Port Health Services, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other relevant agencies to strengthen preparedness and prevent possible health risks.
According to the authority, surveillance and passenger monitoring have been intensified, particularly for travellers arriving from high-risk regions.
“Passengers are being screened for symptoms associated with Ebola, and any suspected case will be promptly isolated and subjected to secondary health checks in line with established national and international health protocols,” the statement said.
FAAN noted that additional emergency response procedures have also been reinforced while airport personnel have undergone increased sensitisation as part of precautionary efforts.
The authority stressed that there is currently no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria but said it remains vigilant in safeguarding public health and ensuring safe airport operations.
“FAAN remains vigilant and fully committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining safe airport operations,” the agency stated.
READ ALSO: FAAN nabs four unauthorised persons at Akure airport
Passengers were also advised to remain calm, cooperate with health screening procedures and report any symptoms to health officials at the airports.
The development comes as health authorities across parts of Africa continue to monitor Ebola-related concerns and strengthen border surveillance to prevent cross-border transmission.
Nigeria’s aviation and health authorities have previously activated similar emergency screening measures during periods of global and regional disease outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and earlier Ebola scares.
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