The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a stark flood alert for July, warning that 20 states, including Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, face a significant risk of flash floods. This grim forecast comes amidst widespread condemnation from environmental experts and civil society groups, who are lambasting state governments for their apparent ill-preparedness despite receiving over N620 billion in ecological funds.
NiMet’s flash flood risk alert, released on Monday, identifies states with varying probabilities of experiencing severe flooding due to the intensifying rainfall. The agency specifically named: “Sokoto State has a high risk of experiencing flash floods. Other states with notable risks of flash flooding are Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.” Residents in these areas are advised to take immediate precautions, including clearing drainage systems and preparing emergency kits.
The warning has reignited fierce criticism from organizations like the Africa Environmental Health Organisation and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. They accuse state governments of failing to effectively manage ecological funds, questioning the impact of these massive allocations on disaster preparedness and environmental resilience.
Indeed, findings reveal that despite receiving over N620 billion from the Ecological Fund between 2012 and February 2025, many states appear woefully unprepared to mitigate flood impacts. This stark paradox has fueled concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of these funds in enhancing environmental resilience.
The devastating consequences are already being felt. Residents in several Ondo communities recently appealed for urgent state government aid after floods ravaged their properties last week. A victim in Okitipupa, Mr. Joshua Jemiloni, recounted, “The flooding was caused by erosion flowing down from Igodan, coupled with the fact that the Igodan stream along the road overflowed its banks during the torrential downpour. It affected about 10 buildings.”
The Ecological Fund, established in 1981 and drawn from 2% of the Federation Account, is specifically designed to address environmental challenges like erosion, desertification, and flooding. Managed by the Ecological Fund Office under the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, it aims to provide equitable support based on regional needs.
However, critics argue that the funds are not translating into tangible results. Afolabi Abiodun, President of the Africa Environmental Health Organisation, lamented, “The government claims to be trying, but frankly, we don’t see the impact on society. Yes, the amount of money involved may be large, but it hasn’t translated into real change.” He added, “You see, for me, the issue lies in accountability and transparency; both are missing.”
Nathaniel Atebije, immediate past President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, pointed to systemic failures, including the government's failure to construct a crucial middle-level dam agreed upon with Cameroon to contain floodwaters from the River Benue. Similarly, quality, health, safety, and environmental sustainability expert, Hakeem Mukhtar, stated, “The impact of this funding has not matched the scale of the disbursement.” He stressed, “Many flood control projects seem reactive rather than proactive, and long-term climate resilience planning is either weak or non-existent in several states.”
The scale of the crisis is staggering. A June 2025 report by SBM Intelligence revealed that since July 2024, floods have inundated 31 of Nigeria’s 36 states, impacting approximately 1.2 million people and destroying an estimated 180,000 hectares of cultivated farmland. StatiSense data further highlighted that in May 2025 alone, 116,711 people were affected across 12 states, with Zamfara, Kwara, and Lagos among the hardest hit.
As Nigeria braces for another wave of floods, there is a growing, urgent demand for greater transparency, stringent accountability, and a fundamental shift towards proactive, data-driven strategies in the management of ecological funds to prevent future disasters and ensure affected communities receive the support they desperately need.
