The head of Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said on Friday that over 5.2 million people in Nigeria were affected by flooding in 2024.
Speaking at a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Abuja, she said that 1,237 people died in the floods that year.
During a presentation, NEMA’s Assistant Director for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Simon Katu, said that floods affected 35 states between 2024 and early 2025. Over 1.2 million people had to leave their homes due to floods, conflicts, and community clashes.
He added that important roads, bridges, hospitals, and other structures were destroyed. People living near rivers or in low areas were especially affected. Poor drainage systems, climate change, and growing population made things worse.
Mrs. Umar explained that the floods in 2024 affected 35 states and 401 local government areas. Over 5.2 million people were affected, 1.2 million displaced, 1,237 killed, 16,469 injured, 116,172 homes destroyed, and over 1.4 million hectares of farmland were damaged.
She warned that in 2025, 12 states and 43 local government areas are at high risk of flooding. The other 13 states and remaining areas are at lower risk.
Talking about a recent flood in Mokwa, she said that more than 3,000 people were affected. Over 1,000 were displaced, more than 100 died, and many were either missing or injured.
She said that this year, NEMA started a national campaign to teach communities how to prepare for and respond to floods. Last year, they visited 24 states, but this year, they reached every state and many communities.
Mrs. Umar also shared that NEMA will carry out emergency practice drills in Anambra and Kano states to improve readiness.
Mr. Keisuke Matsushita from JICA said there is a need to form a technical team to plan how to build skills in disaster management, with support from Japan. This will need approval from the Japanese government.
He said they are looking at how to help Nigeria respond quickly to future emergencies. JICA had helped in 2014 with emergency supplies. Now, they want to plan better ways to respond and provide relief in the future.
He said more meetings are needed to plan this support and agree on the process. He also said JICA wants to help with long-term training in disaster management.
Mrs. Umar formed a five-person team to work with JICA and look at everything needed, including training. She told the team to create a plan and start work by next week so progress can be made quickly.
