Michael Odetunde
The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has activated its zonal directorates and operations offices across the country following a high flood risk alert issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency NIHSA.The alert, issued over the rising water levels in major rivers, identified 15 states at high risk of riverine flooding.
According to a flood advisory issued by NEMA’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, in Abuja on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the affected states are Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, directed the Agency’s offices covering the affected states to immediately activate existing preparedness mechanisms, closely monitor vulnerable locations and maintain coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response stakeholders.
She urged residents living on floodplains, riverbanks, low-lying areas and other vulnerable locations to take the warning seriously and relocate to identified safe and higher ground before conditions become critical.
Umar also called for special attention to vulnerable persons, including children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities, during evacuation and other precautionary measures.
The NEMA boss further urged state and local government authorities to activate their emergency preparedness mechanisms and pre-position essential relief and response materials at strategic locations on higher ground.
She listed the materials to include food and non-food items, safe drinking water and water-treatment supplies, first-aid and medical materials, as well as rescue equipment.
Umar stressed that early action remained critical to reducing the potential impact of flooding on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
She also advised residents against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water, either on foot or in vehicles.
The Director General urged communities to continue monitoring official flood warnings and updates from relevant government agencies and to comply with evacuation advisories whenever they are issued.
NEMA said it would continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with NIHSA, State Emergency Management Agencies and other relevant stakeholders, while its response teams remain on standby to provide support where necessary.
