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Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria faced a devastating year of flooding in 2024, with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reporting that over 5.2 million people were affected across 35 states. Tragically, 1,237 lives were lost due to these widespread floods, according to the Nigeria unified flood dashboard presented by NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar.
Extensive Impact and Displacement
During a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Abuja to discuss emergency flood support, Mrs. Umar highlighted the extensive impact. Mr. Simon Katu, NEMA’s Assistant Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, further detailed the disaster outlook, noting that “widespread flood was reported in 2024 and early 2025 across 35 states.”
The floods contributed to the displacement of over 1.2 million people, a figure also impacted by protracted conflicts and communal crises. The disaster led to the destruction of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and health facilities, as well as significant loss of lives and livelihoods, particularly in riverine and low-lying communities. These challenges were compounded by poor urban drainage, climate change, and population pressure.
Key Statistics from the 2024 Flood Disaster:
Mrs. Umar provided a comprehensive overview of the 2024 flood disaster, stating that it affected 401 Local Government Areas across 35 states. The impact included:
- 5,264,097 individuals affected
- 1,243,638 individuals displaced
- 1,237 lives lost
- 16,469 individuals injured
- 116,172 houses destroyed
- 1,439,296 farmlands (hectares) affected
2025 Flood Predictions and Preparedness Efforts
Looking ahead to 2025, NEMA predicts that 12 states and 43 Local Government Areas are at high risk of flooding, while the remaining 13 states and their LGAs are forecasted to be in low flood-risk areas.
Mrs. Umar also highlighted a specific incident in Mokwa, where over 3,000 people were affected, more than 1,005 individuals displaced, and tragically, over 100 people died with more than 100 individuals reported missing or injured.
In response to the recurring flood crises, NEMA has stepped up its preparedness measures. “This year, we launched a national preparedness and response campaign, which was to go to states and community levels to talk directly to people for community action in preparedness, planning and response,” Mrs. Umar explained. She added that while NEMA visited about 24 states last year, they have now covered the entire country and all communities in their awareness and preparedness efforts.