The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has issued a stark warning that 198 Local Government Areas across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) face severe flood threats from August 7 to 21, 2025, as torrential rains continue across the country.
This comes amid mounting criticism against the Lagos State government, following advice for residents in flood-ravaged Ikorodu to vacate their homes—an order that has drawn backlash from political stakeholders and affected residents.
In a statement released yesterday, Director General of NiHSA, Umar Mohammed, confirmed that the agency has categorized the flood risk levels as Very High, High, and Moderate, depending on rainfall intensity and topography.
“NiHSA urges residents in affected regions to remain vigilant, adhere to early warning directives, and cooperate with emergency response agencies,” Mohammed said.
He noted that over 832 communities are at risk, including 100 major transportation routes which may face serious disruption.
Affected states include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
“We call on state governments and local authorities to rise up to the occasion and take proactive measures to safeguard lives and properties,” Mohammed added.
Lagos Government Reacts, Offers Sympathy—But Advice to 'Vacate' Sparks Outrage
In Lagos, floodwaters from Monday’s 13-hour rainstorm have displaced residents, especially in Ikorodu, leading to widespread damage. The state government, during an on-site inter-ministerial visit, extended sympathy and assured affected residents of ongoing intervention plans.
Special Adviser on Environment, Engr. Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, stated that once ongoing drainage construction is completed, the perennial flooding in Ikorodu would be addressed.
“We are here to convey Mr. Governor’s message of sympathy to the people affected,” he said. “We are also here to assess the damage and expedite drainage work to mitigate residents' suffering.”
Rotimi-Akodu said the storm's intensity was unusual, describing it as a climate change-induced event likely to occur only “once in decades.” He also urged residents to stop dumping waste in drains and avoid building on the Right of Way.
However, the state’s recommendation that residents in flood-prone areas vacate has sparked sharp criticism from political leaders.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Labour Party’s 2023 Lagos governorship candidate, slammed the directive, describing it as “abdication of duty.”
“What the public got was a callous order to leave. That is not leadership,” he said through his media aide, Adewole Ireti.
“If the government cannot protect people from natural disasters, the least it can do is show compassion and offer actionable solutions—not harsh ultimatums.”
He argued that flood threats in Ikorodu are not new and that the state government had years to act but failed.
Fish Farmers in Tears: N150 Million Lost in Floods
Amid the ongoing crisis, fish farmers in Lagos State are counting losses estimated at over ₦150 million, following the downpour that overran fish ponds across Ikorodu and other lowlands.
Vice President of the Lagos State Catfish and Allied Farmers Association (LASCAFAN), Mr. Olatoye Fajimi, told NAN that the torrential rain washed away nearly all the fish in over 50 farms.
“By the time farmers got to their ponds, they discovered that most, if not all, their fish had been washed away. It has been a tale of woes,” Fajimi said.
He added that the group is still assessing the damage, and called for urgent government intervention.
“The loss is enormous. Areas that never flooded before were overrun this time. Government support is needed now more than ever,” he stated.
