By John Umeh
The Federal Government has issued a high-level flood warning, cautioning that heavy rainfall expected over the next five days could trigger flooding across 14 states and 43 vulnerable communities.
The alert, released Thursday, September 4, by the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment, and signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, urged residents in at-risk areas to stay alert and prepare for possible emergencies.
Between September 4 and September 8, heavy downpours are expected to impact states including Ebonyi, Cross River, Kano, Zamfara, Taraba, Abia, Yobe, Plateau, Borno, Imo, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, and Akwa Ibom. Specific communities flagged include Afikpo, Ikom, Gwarzo, Anka, Dampar, Umuahia, Potiskum, Shendam, Ngala, Okigwe, Sarki Pawa, Sokoto city, Kafanchan, and Oron.
The Ministry emphasized the need for residents to adopt precautionary measures and cooperate with local emergency response agencies to minimize loss of lives and property.
Lagos Raises Red Flag Over Lagoon’s Future
In a separate warning, the Lagos State Government has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating condition of the Lagos Lagoon, describing the situation as a looming ecological and social disaster if urgent steps are not taken.
At a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Alebiosu, warned that coastal erosion and unchecked human activity are threatening the lagoon’s sustainability. He revealed that entire communities, such as Idotun Village in Ibeju-Lekki, have already been lost to erosion, displacing families and destroying livelihoods.
To address the crisis, Lagos is convening its first-ever waterfront summit on September 11, themed “Pressure on the Lagoon: The Lagos Experience.” The event will gather over 500 local and international experts to brainstorm practical and sustainable solutions for safeguarding the lagoon.
Rising Threats, Rising Urgency
With federal authorities forecasting heavy rainfall and Lagos battling erosion-induced lagoon collapse, Nigeria faces dual environmental challenges that could have lasting social and economic consequences. Experts warn that without urgent action, the combination of flooding, coastal erosion, and infrastructure strain could trigger widespread displacement and damage in the months ahead.
