As the rain begins, the Federal Government, on Wednesday, released the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), predicting floods to hit Bayelsa, Delta, Adamawa, Kebbi, and 29 other states.
This was disclosed in a keynote address by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, at the AFO public presentation at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja, organised by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NiHSA, with the theme ‘Smart Water Resources Management: Moving from Oil to Water-Based Economy’.
Utsev acknowledged that early information saves lives, livelihoods, protects infrastructure, and reduces economic losses, saying that, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to improving flood forecasts and preparedness, the modernisation of the national hydrological monitoring networks.
The minister also said his ministry is strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, to ensure better integration of weather and water information, as it is critical for delivering reliable forecasts that support farmers, disaster managers, urban planners, and other key sectors of the economy.
Meanwhile, the 2026 AFO presentation had in attendance President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal. Others present were the federal ministries: Water Resources and Sanitation; Livestock Development, Environment, and Women Affairs. Others include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, State Governments, Service Chiefs, development partners, and the media.
