Over 5.2 million Nigerians affected by 2024 floods – NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that about 5,264,097 people were affected by devastating floods across Nigeria in 2024.

NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, revealed the figure during an inception meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on emergency flood support in Abuja.

Speaking through the agency’s Assistant Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Mr. Simon Katu, Mrs. Umar said that the floods claimed 1,237 lives, left over 1.2 million people displaced, and damaged critical infrastructure nationwide.

“Widespread flooding was reported in 35 states, with serious impact on homes, livelihoods, and national infrastructure. The effects were worsened by poor drainage in urban areas, population pressure, and climate change,” Katu noted.

According to the data presented, the disaster affected 401 Local Government Areas, with 16,469 injuries, 116,172 houses destroyed, and nearly 1.44 million hectares of farmland lost .

The aid agency also projected that 12 states and 43 local governments fall within the high flood-risk zones in 2025, while another 13 states are in the low-risk category.

Mrs. Umar emphasized the need for early warning and preparedness at the grassroots level, noting that the agency has expanded its public awareness campaign on disaster response.

“This year, we have gone beyond visiting only a few states. Our preparedness campaign has now covered all states and local communities to enhance early response,” she said.

During the briefing, the DG also cited the tragic Mokwa flood disaster, where over 3,000 people were affected, 1,005 displaced, and over 100 lives lost or missing.

She added that to strengthen resilience, NEMA is planning a simulation exercise in Anambra and Kano states to prepare communities and local agencies for possible emergencies.