NIHSA - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
Apr, Thu, 2025

33 states at high risk of flooding- NIHSA warns

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By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned that 1,249 communities across 176 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 33 states and the FCT fall within the high flood-risk areas in 2025.

The warning was issued during the official presentation of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, in Abuja.

According to the forecast, an additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs across 31 states and the FCT are expected to experience moderate flood risk this year.

States identified in the high-risk category include: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, the FCT, Gombe and Imo.

Others are; Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

Utsev noted that floods are among the most devastating natural disasters affecting lives, property, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He said the 2025 forecast is aimed at raising awareness and encouraging preparedness among citizens, particularly in vulnerable communities.

He said this year’s theme on community preparedness and adaptation is timely, given the recurring floods and their impact on livelihoods and infrastructure.

The minister explained that the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook has been segmented into three parts to enhance flood preparedness.

These include a general flood forecast, a communication strategy for effective warning dissemination, and a mitigation plan to reduce exposure and vulnerability.

“According to the forecast, 657 communities in 52 LGAs are expected to experience high flood risk between April and June.

“544 communities in 142 LGAs between July and September; and 484 communities in 56 LGAs from October to November.

“Moderate flood risk is projected for 445 communities in 116 LGAs from April to June, 1,458 communities in 271 LGAs from July to September, and 1,473 communities in 171 LGAs between October and November,” he added.

He said flash and urban flooding are expected in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano, and Makurdi, largely due to poor drainage and weak infrastructure.

According to him, coastal states such as Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo may also experience flooding caused by rising sea levels and tidal surges, posing a threat to livelihoods and river-based activities.

Utsev announced initiatives such as a National Flood Insurance Programme, to be piloted in Kogi and Jigawa states, and the Niger Flood Project to boost river navigation, flood control, and climate resilience.

He highlighted plans to launch an Integrated Climate Resilience Project and the forthcoming Annual Drought Outlook.

Utsev urged stakeholders to support government efforts in building flood-resilient communities and affirming the Federal Government’s commitment to proactive flood management.

Earlier, the NIHSA Director General Umar Mohammed emphasised the agency’s commitment to using advanced technologies and fostering inter-agency collaboration to deliver accurate and timely flood forecasts.

Mohammed explained that this year’s forecast adopts a more community-focused approach, extending beyond local government areas to identify specific at-risk communities.

“Our aim is to equip decision-makers with actionable information to protect lives, livelihoods, and property,” he stated.

He added that the outlook identifies flood-prone states, local government areas, and communities, while also assessing impacts on sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, transport, and water quality.

According to Mohammed, the goal is to strengthen community resilience and support proactive flood management strategies across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that key highlights of the event included the formal presentation of the NIHSA Flood and Drought Dashboard and the unveiling of the National Flood Insurance Programme.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the World Meteorological Agency, the National Water Resources Institute Kaduna, and others. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

NIHSA seeks NBA’s support for stronger hydrological management

Tosin Kolade
Feb, Thu, 2025

Environment

NIHSA seeks NBA’s support for stronger hydrological management

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By Akpan Glory

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has requested the support of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) to strengthen hydrological activities in Nigeria and ensure the effective management of the Niger River Basin.

NIHSA Director General, Umar Mohammed, made this appeal in a statement during his visit to the NBA in Niamey, Niger Republic.

He emphasised the need for improved equipment and facilities for hydrological and hydrogeological monitoring in Nigeria’s portion of the Basin.

He stressed the importance of functional monitoring installations to provide reliable data for basin planning, management, and development, highlighting Nigeria’s position downstream of the Niger River.

Mohammed also acknowledged the NBA’s interventions, which have strengthened NIHSA’s hydrological activities.

He called for continued support to further enhance the Agency’s capacity and expand satellite hydrology monitoring in Nigeria.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the NBA, Didier Zinzou, welcomed Mohammed and reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to the sustainable management and development of the Niger River Basin’s water resources.

He explained that the NBA, a regional basin organisation comprising nine member countries in West and Central Africa, oversees hydrological monitoring and infrastructure development within its member states.

Zinzou stressed that effective hydrological monitoring is essential to achieving the NBA’s Shared Vision and Water Charter, which guide development efforts in the Basin.

He reiterated the NBA’s ongoing support for hydrological activities in its member states, including Nigeria, in the collective interest of sustainable basin development.

Zinzou thanked Mohammed for his visit and assured him of the NBA’s commitment to improving hydrological monitoring across the Basin.

He emphasised that all Niger Basin development programmes depend on accurate and robust hydrological and hydrogeological data.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NBA is a regional cooperation body focused on developing the Niger Basin in areas such as water resources, agriculture, and energy. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NIHSA strengthens water management framework

Tosin Kolade
Dec, Tue, 2024

Environment

NIHSA strengthens water management framework

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By Tosin Kolade

The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving water resource management through strategic policies and programmes.

The agency’s Director-General, Umar Mohammed, made this commitment at a workshop on Monday in Abuja.

The workshop was to validate the draft regional Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for the Niger Basin and the Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer Systems (NB-ITTAS).

Mohammed stated the workshop’s importance in educating stakeholders about improving the management, governance, conservation, and protection of water resources.

“Strengthening water resource management frameworks and institutions in the region will significantly enhance the livelihoods of citizens, ” he said.

The NIHSA D-G emphasised the need to boost water resource availability by improving groundwater recharge systems and enhancing existing groundwater extraction facilities.

He also stressed the importance of raising awareness among local stakeholders and building their capacity for the sustainable management and protection of water resources.

“It is essential to ensure that local stakeholders are informed about these issues and equipped to improve water resource management and protection.

“Water resources must be managed efficiently and adaptively by implementing economically viable agricultural practices resilient to climate change,” Muhammed said.

He further said that NIHSA’s capacity was being strengthened for effective quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the region’s water resources.

Prof. Tiegaan Amada, Regional Consultant for the NB-ITTAS Strategic Action Plan, said that the workshop aimed to identify and address gaps in existing water resource policies.

He said that the initiative integrated the management of surface water, groundwater, and related ecosystems to improve water security for the population.

“By analysing policy gaps, this initiative creates an opportunity to introduce strategies that promote the joint management of surface and groundwater resources and associated ecosystems,” Amada said.

The Director of Hydrogeophysics at NIHSA, Mr Stephen Jabo, announced plans to establish an institutional body to manage the shared water resources of the participating countries.

Jabo highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, especially in the Sahelian regions where water scarcity is a critical issue.

“A mechanism will be established to govern and manage shared water resources, encompassing both surface and groundwater systems.

“For Sahelian regions facing acute water scarcity, it is vital for the countries involved to collaborate effectively to manage these limited resources,” he said.

He identified six participating countries; Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Mauritania, that are expected to foster regional cooperation for the NB-ITTAS Aquifer System.

Jabo said that each country was dedicated to building a strong knowledge base for shared water resources.

He said that they were also establishing governance frameworks to ensure equitable and sustainable management for current and future generations.

“This workshop aims to facilitate collective commitment among these nations to equitable sharing and sustainable management of joint water resources, benefiting both current and future generations,” he said ”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahma

NIHSA to strengthen surface, groundwater reserves

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Thu, 2024

Environment

NIHSA to strengthen surface, groundwater reserves

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By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has pledged to strengthen the management of surface and groundwater resources for the benefit of the Nigerian population.

NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, made this commitment at the National Regional Action Plan (RAP) Validation Workshop on the Niger Basin Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezerouft Aquifer Systems (NB-ITTAS) in Abuja on Thursday.

Represented by Mrs Awoibi Joe-Ukairo, Deputy Director of Hydro-Geophysics, Mohammed stated that the workshop aims to address strategic goals for enhancing regional water governance and sustainability.

He noted that the workshop marks a major step toward achieving sustainable water management and fostering cross-border collaboration for environmental resilience.

According to him, key objectives include enhancing knowledge and monitoring of the ITTAS aquifer, promoting cooperative governance, and encouraging sustainable groundwater use.

“Additionally, strengthening climate resilience, ensuring funding, providing training, and integrating communication and gender considerations across RAP activities are crucial priorities.

“The RAP identifies 74 preliminary actions across five strategic areas: Knowledge and Monitoring; Cooperative Governance and Solidarity; Sustainable Development and Groundwater Protection.

“Others are Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change; and Resource Mobilisation, Training, Communication, and Gender.

“Our commitment to these actions is vital to sustainably managing our water resources, essential for community wellbeing,” said Mohammed.

He commended the dedication of the Inter-Ministerial Committee members and acknowledged the contributions of Dr Sauret Serge, the project consultant, along with online participants.

Mr Stephen Jabo, Director of Hydro-Geophysics with NIHSA, revealed Nigeria’s partnerships with UNESCO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enhance groundwater monitoring and isotope analysis capabilities.

“These collaborations have advanced Nigeria’s understanding of water resources, though the country still relies on external laboratories for isotope studies on groundwater renewal, pollution tracing, and water age”.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has invested in a mass spectrometer intended for the Centre for Energy Research and Training in Zaria, saying security concerns have delayed its installation.

“This challenge has spurred discussions on acquiring a new spectrometer to establish domestic isotope analysis capabilities, which would benefit Nigeria and neighboring West African countries.

“While the Niger Basin Authority manages surface water in the Niger Basin, groundwater resources, such as the Sokoto Basin, lack an equivalent oversight body”.

Jabo also addressed Nigeria’s role in the Sahel transboundary water resource project, which involves 11 countries focused on shared water governance.

He stressed the need for a regional institution to manage shared aquifers, coordinated by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, to mitigate risks from pollution and over-extraction across borders.

Mr Sunday Hussaini, Consultant for the IAEA Sahel Project in the Sokoto Basin, outlined groundwater challenges, such as limited rainfall often below 600mm annually near the Nigeria-Niger border and high evaporation rates.

“Increasing reliance on groundwater for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use, combined with the lack of regulation, has led to declining water levels, further exacerbated by climate change and drought”.

Hussaini recommended that septic tanks should not be constructed near public water sources to prevent contamination.

He also called on state governments to regulate groundwater usage, implement integrated water resource management, and conserve free-flowing wells for local development. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

NIHSA warns of imminent flooding along Rivers Benue, Niger

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Thu, 2024

Environment

NIHSA warns of imminent flooding along Rivers Benue, Niger

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By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an urgent flood warning to communities along the River Benue and River Niger, following significant rises in water levels due to continuous rainfall.

In a statement on Thursday, NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, urged residents near the riverbanks to evacuate, as water levels in the River Benue have reached critical points.

He noted that water gauge data from key stations such as Lokoja, Umaisha, Makurdi, and Ibbi show consistently high levels, exceeding 9 meters between October 9 and October 15.

“The map shows critical flood-prone zones across Nigeria, particularly around stations along the River Benue and River Niger.

“Makurdi, in particular, has recorded dangerously high water levels, with Lokoja and other stations also nearing flood thresholds,” Mohammed stated.

The agency also warned that the management of the Kainji and Jebba Dams are closely monitoring and controlling water releases to prevent downstream flooding along the Niger.

Mohammed called for full cooperation with emergency response agencies and advised citizens to move to safer areas to avoid the worsening effects of the floods as rainfall continues.

He emphasised the need for collective efforts to build resilience against flooding, which had become an annual challenge for many communities in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru