The impact of Nigeria’s seasonal floods has taken a sharp and deadly turn, with at least 165 lives lost and more than 119,000 people affected across 19 states, according to data released by the National Emergency Management Agency.
As of Friday, the agency’s flood dashboard showed that 82 people were still missing, while 138 others had sustained various injuries. The damage, spread across 43 local government areas, has forced over 43,000 people from their homes, with nearly 8,600 houses and 8,300 farmlands destroyed.
“Children and women made up the largest group affected by the floods this year,” NEMA stated, listing 53,314 children, 36,573 women, and 24,600 men among the affected. The figures also include 5,304 elderly people and 1,863 persons living with disabilities.
States worst hit include Imo, Rivers, Abia, Borno, and Kaduna. Others listed are the FCT, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Gombe, Jigawa, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo and Sokoto.
The rising toll is fuelling renewed calls for stronger flood response systems and improved early warning measures.
Experts have long warned that poor urban planning, blocked drainages, and unregulated development near flood-prone areas leave communities vulnerable year after year.
Across many of the affected states, displaced families now face uncertain conditions, with shelter, food, and clean water in short supply.
Although the federal government has pledged support, affected communities say response efforts remain patchy and slow.
“We need more than statistics. We need urgent help,” said Adamu Garba, a community leader from one of the flooded areas in Kaduna.
