The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says flooding has affected 673,350 people across 134 Local Government Areas in 28 states as of 20 October, with 214,997 displaced and 245 deaths recorded.
The Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, disclosed this on Thursday at the National Emergency Coordination Forum (NECF) convened in Abuja to review flood response efforts and strengthen preparedness against emerging threats.
“The Agency’s flood dashboard had recorded 673,350 persons affected across 134 Local Government Areas in 28 states as of 20 October 2026. Of this number, 214,997 persons had been displaced, while 245 lives had been lost.”
Mrs Umar, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Godwin Topikor, said the magnitude of the flooding underscored the urgent need to review ongoing interventions, identify gaps and strengthen collaboration to address humanitarian needs of affected communities.
The meeting, held in Abuja, brought together stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), security institutions, humanitarian organisations and development partners to assess emerging disaster risks and harmonise preparedness measures.
The DG said the forum would also focus on heightened surveillance against Ebola Virus Disease and cholera, particularly in disaster-affected communities where displacement, poor sanitation and limited access to essential services could heighten health vulnerabilities.
On the anticipated El Niño, she stressed the need for relevant institutions to harmonise climate forecasts, assess potential risks and translate early warning information into practical anticipatory actions to minimise impacts on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
She reiterated that effective disaster management requires a proactive, multisectoral approach anchored on early warning, preparedness, risk reduction, timely response and sustainable recovery.
Mrs Umar urged participating institutions to deepen operational collaboration, eliminate duplication of efforts and prioritise the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
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The forum featured technical presentations and discussions on the current flood situation, Ebola and cholera updates, the anticipated El Niño phenomenon and its hydrological implications, as well as global and regional climate outlooks.
Participants also reviewed sectoral preparedness and response priorities covering food security, health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, protection, emergency shelter, logistics, security and information management.
The meeting attracted representatives of key institutions, including the Federal Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Environment, Information and National Orientation, and Education; the Armed Forces; Nigeria Police Force; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency; Nigerian Meteorological Agency; Nigeria Centre for Disease Control; Federal Road Safety Corps; Federal Fire Service; Nigerian Red Cross Society; Society for Family Health; World Meteorological Organisation; and other humanitarian and development partners.
