NiMet Issues July Flood Warning for 20 States Amid N620bn Ecological Fund Concerns

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has issued a fresh flood alert, warning that 20 states including Lagos, Sokoto, Benue, and Edo face significant risk of flash floods this July, despite the disbursement of over ₦620 billion in ecological funds across the country.

The agency, in a statement released Monday, identified areas such as Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, and others as vulnerable to intense rainfall that could trigger flash flooding. NiMet urged residents in these areas to take precautionary steps—such as clearing drainage systems, preparing emergency kits, and relocating from flood-prone zones when necessary.

Meanwhile, experts and environmental stakeholders, including the Africa Environmental Health Organisation and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, have criticized the poor utilization of ecological funds by state governments. They say the inadequate preparedness witnessed during recent floods calls into question how the funds have been spent.

In Ondo State, communities like Owo, Okitipupa, Ilaje, and Ese Odo were devastated by recent floods caused by days of heavy rain. Residents reported millions of naira worth of property lost, with several homes and roads submerged. Victims have pleaded for swift intervention from both state and federal authorities.

One affected resident in Okitipupa, Mr. Joshua Jemiloni, attributed the flooding to erosion and overflowing streams. Another community leader, Lawrence Awanebi, expressed concern over the number of displaced persons and urged government assistance. In response, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed plans to dredge waterways and enforce environmental laws as part of the state’s flood mitigation strategy.

Ecological Fund Utilisation Under Scrutiny
Despite receiving ₦622.15 billion in ecological allocations between 2012 and early 2025, many states remain unprepared for recurring environmental crises. Critics have pointed to a lack of accountability and transparency in fund usage, calling for routine audits to ensure proper application.

The Ecological Fund, established in 1981 and managed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is financed through two percent of the federal revenue. It is designed to address a wide range of environmental challenges including erosion, drought, oil spills, and flooding.

Recent data from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and the National Bureau of Statistics reveal that between June 2023 and June 2024 alone, ₦39.62 billion was distributed. In January 2025, the Federation Account Allocation Committee released ₦6.03 billion more—Kano received the highest share at ₦2.5 billion, followed by Lagos with ₦2.1 billion and Borno with ₦1.97 billion.

Still, despite these significant allocations, states like Niger continue to suffer from deadly floods. Mokwa town, for instance, recently recorded severe flooding, with district head Muhammad Shaba Aliyu describing it as the worst in 60 years and pleading for urgent government support.

Floods Impact Over a Million Nigerians
According to a June 2025 report by SBM Intelligence, floods have affected 31 of Nigeria’s 36 states since July 2024, displacing approximately 1.2 million people and destroying around 180,000 hectares of farmland. This has intensified food insecurity and contributed to rising inflation, particularly in the agriculturally vital Middle Belt.

Environmentalists say the repeated flooding, despite increased federal and state-level funding, reflects a broader failure in proactive planning and emergency management. Afolabi Abiodun, president of the Africa Environmental Health Organisation, criticized the lack of impact from government interventions, urging authorities to back up their policies with measurable action.