By Obinna Uballa
At least 236 people have died and more than 135,000 displaced following severe floods that have ravaged 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since the start of the year, according to the latest situation report from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The 2025 Flood Dashboard released by NEMA revealed that a total of 409,714 Nigerians across 117 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been affected by the disaster, which has left widespread destruction of homes, farmlands, and infrastructure.
Niger, Adamawa worst hit
Niger State recorded the highest number of fatalities with 163 deaths, followed by Adamawa with 59. Taraba reported five deaths, Sokoto three, Jigawa and Yobe two each, while Gombe and Borno recorded one death each.
The agency also reported that 135,764 persons were displaced, 115 declared missing, and 826 injured in the floods. In addition, 47,708 houses were destroyed and 62,653 farmlands washed away across the affected areas.
Children and women hardest hit
NEMA’s demographic breakdown shows that the floods have severely affected vulnerable groups: 188,118 children, 125,307 women, 77,423 men, 18,866 elderly persons, and 2,418 persons with disabilities.
Adamawa topped the chart of affected populations with 60,608 people impacted and 23,077 displaced, followed by Lagos with 57,951 affected and 3,680 displaced. Akwa Ibom recorded 46,233 affected and 40,140 displaced, while Taraba reported 28,107 affected and 4,465 displaced.
In Imo State, 26,041 persons were affected and 13,254 displaced; Kaduna had 24,240 affected and 1,237 displaced; Rivers recorded 22,345 affected and 9,645 displaced; Abia had 11,907 affected and 4,896 displaced; Edo, 18,373 affected and 7,681 displaced; Kebbi, 16,918 affected and 5,718 displaced; and Sokoto, 15,675 affected and 4,566 displaced.
Other affected states include the FCT, Anambra, Bayelsa, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, and Ondo.
NEMA intensifies response
The agency said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation and coordinating relief efforts in collaboration with state governments, humanitarian partners, and other stakeholders.
“NEMA is actively engaging state emergency agencies to ensure timely intervention and support for affected communities,” the report noted.
