Feedback from states on the flood prediction alert issued by the National Flood Early Warning Centre ,FEWC, at the Federal Ministry of Environment has been two-way.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Director, Flood Forecasting, Monitoring and Control at FEWC, Kunle Awojemila, during a phone interview.
Awojemila said that while some states have escalated the predictions and warned their people saving lives in some cases others have faced challenges as some residents refused to evacuate, resulting in loss of property and lives.
“Quite a number of the states have escalated the predictions, and they’ve given warning to their people, and they’ve been able to save lives in some places. But in some cases, residents have refused to evacuate or move when asked to. The aftermath of this is loss of property and, in some cases, lives.
“As a result, we are making plans to ramp up awareness campaigns. In some places where flooding has occurred, as predicted, we have also made plans to monitor and carry out reconnaissance. In doing that, we’ll be able to see how we can put preventive and mitigation measures in place construct drains, build levees, and so on. We don’t just predict; we predict, monitor, and, as much as possible within the available budget, implement control measures in those places”, he said.
The National Flood Early Warning Centre had earlier issued a flood prediction alert for several states, warning of heavy rainfall expected to lead to flooding between September 19 and 23, 2025.
The affected states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Specifically, the locations are: Abia (Arochukwu); Akwa Ibom (Abak, Etinan, Ikot-Ekpene, Uyo); Bauchi (Bauchi, Jama’are, Kafin-Madaki); Benue (Ito, Vande-Ikya); Borno (Dikwa); Cross River (Edor, Ikom, Ogoja); Kano (Bebeji, Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Tudun-Wada, Wudil); Kebbi (Shanga, Yelwa); Kwara (Lafiagi); Plateau (Bukuru, Jos); Sokoto (Isa, Makira); Yobe (Dapchi); and Zamfara (Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi).
Awojemila also disclosed that some states including Katsina, Adamawa, and Niger, have carried out awareness campaigns and run radio jingles to sensitise residents.
The National Flood Early Warning Centre had urged relevant stakeholders to take necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the expected flooding and also requested feedback from them.
Awojemila noted that the Flood Early Warning System model used by FEWS is web-based and automated, utilising a combination of models developed by the Ministry.
He added that the centre is planning to step up awareness campaigns and continue monitoring affected areas to put preventive measures in place.
