Vice President Kashim Shettima has raised the alarm that over 15 million Nigerians could be affected by flood disasters in 2025, urging immediate and coordinated action to prevent another nationwide crisis.
Speaking at a validation workshop for the Anticipatory Action Framework in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that the Federal Government is shifting to a proactive disaster management strategy rather than reacting after floods hit.
He stressed the importance of collaboration across federal and state agencies, warning that Nigeria currently loses around 5% of its GDP annually due to flooding.
To bolster emergency response efforts, Shettima announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved ₦15 billion for disaster preparedness and intervention.
The Federal Government last week identified 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as high-risk zones for heavy rainfall and flooding in the coming season. These include Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Anambra, Kogi, and Borno, among others.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, also warned that coastal and riverine areas—particularly in the South-South zone—are expected to experience rising sea levels and severe flooding.
The Vice President also condemned recent attacks in Plateau State and advocated for non-military approaches to addressing insecurity in the North-East and Middle Belt regions.
As climate change intensifies and flood risks grow, authorities say strategic planning, early warning systems, and community education will be key to minimizing damage and saving lives.
