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FG Warns of Heavy Flooding in 15 States, 69 Communities

Published

12 months ago

September 25, 2025

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has issued a flood warning for 15 states and 69 communities, cautioning residents of heavy rainfall and possible flooding between Sept. 24 and Sept. 28.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The warning came in a statement from the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Ministry of Environment. Officials said the advisory was part of efforts to reduce risks during Nigeria’s peak rainy season.

The states expected to be most affected are Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Imo, Kano, Katsina, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara.

Among the 69 at-risk communities are major towns and cities such as Yola in Adamawa, Yenagoa in Bayelsa, Warri in Delta, Benin City in Edo, Oguta in Imo, Kano in Kano State, Jibia in Katsina, Akure in Ondo, Oyo in Oyo State, Ahoada in Rivers, Shagari in Sokoto, Serti in Taraba, and Gusau in Zamfara.

The ministry urged residents and local authorities in these areas to prepare for possible flooding by taking preventive measures to protect lives and property.

“Stakeholders, residents, and emergency agencies should remain vigilant and put in place necessary precautions to reduce the impact of the expected rainfall,” the statement said.

Early Warning System

The National Flood Early Warning Centre said the alert was part of a wider plan to provide timely information that can help communities prepare before disasters strike. Nigeria has experienced severe flooding in recent years, with thousands displaced and farmlands destroyed.

In 2022, record floods killed more than 600 people and displaced over 1.4 million across the country, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). That disaster, officials said, highlighted the need for stronger early-warning systems and better disaster preparedness.

Call for Preparedness

Flooding remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Nigeria, often fueled by heavy rains, poor urban planning, and blocked drainage systems. The government has stressed the importance of local governments, emergency response teams, and communities working together to minimize losses.

Environmental experts have also called on state governments to invest more in flood-control infrastructure, including drainage channels, levees, and early response equipment.

The Ministry of Environment said its latest alert was designed to help communities act quickly. Officials encouraged residents to avoid building on floodplains, clear blocked gutters, and move valuables and livestock to safer areas.

Widespread Risk

Rivers, low-lying areas, and crowded urban centers are expected to be the most vulnerable. Residents in riverine states such as Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta are being urged to prepare for potential water overflow from rising river levels.

In the northern states of Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, both rural communities and urban neighborhoods face risks from flash floods, which can sweep through settlements within minutes of heavy rain.

Officials said that in Taraba and Adamawa, heavy rainfall in hilly areas could trigger landslides or river flooding, threatening farms and settlements along the Benue River.

Next Steps

The government is working with NEMA and state emergency agencies to monitor rainfall patterns and respond quickly if floods occur. Residents are advised to follow updates from official channels, including radio, television, and local government announcements.

The ministry also appealed to communities to cooperate with emergency workers and report signs of rising water levels early to reduce losses.

“The goal of this warning is to save lives, protect property, and ensure that Nigerians are better prepared for extreme weather events,” the statement added.

As the rainy season continues, experts say the warning underscores the need for long-term solutions to Nigeria’s flooding challenges, including improved infrastructure, stronger urban planning, and greater community awareness.

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PROUDLY NIGERIAN! CAF Hand Major Continental Honour To Top Referee Joseph Ogabor For Blockbuster AFCON Qualifier

Published

5 minutes ago

September 23, 2026

NivoNews

KINSHASA — Elite Nigerian referee Joseph Odey Ogabor has been selected by CAF to officiate the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The high-stakes Group E fixture is set for Thursday at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte in Kinshasa, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 PM local time.

Key Match Officials and Assignments

All-Nigerian Refereeing Crew: Referee Joseph Ogabor will be joined on the pitch by fellow compatriots Tejiri Besmart Digbori and Emmanuel Omada, who will serve as Assistant Referees One and Two.
Fourth Official: Another Nigerian official, Grema Mohamed, has been appointed to oversee duties as the fourth official.
Continental & Domestic Experience: Ogabor is a seasoned official in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and boasts substantial continental experience across the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, recently handling a preliminary clash between Medeama and TP Mazembe.

Super Eagles Qualifier Update

Meanwhile, Chadian referee Alhadji Allaou Mahamat has been designated to handle Nigeria’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifier against Madagascar on Friday, September 25.

The 40-year-old Chadian official brings extensive tournament experience, having officiated across the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup, U-20 AFCON, and African Nations Championship. Notably, Mahamat previously took charge of two key matches during Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign—overseeing a 1-0 home victory against Rwanda and a 2-1 away triumph over Lesotho in South Africa.

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Madagascar Not Intimidated By Nigeria, Raveloson Says Ahead Of AFCON Qualifier.

Published

14 minutes ago

September 23, 2026

NivoNews

Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson insists the Barea harbor no fear of the Super Eagles as they gear up for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying opener in Uyo on Friday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

No Fear Factor: Speaking to Football Temple, Raveloson acknowledged the reputation of Nigeria’s star-studded squad—even with the absence of injured striker Victor Osimhen—stating, “We are not scared. It is football, and they are humans like us.”
Squad Arrival: The Madagascar contingent touched down in Nigeria on Monday, while the home team’s camp filled out by Tuesday ahead of the Group L showdown.
Drawing on History: Ranked 104th globally, Madagascar takes confidence from their historic 2-0 victory over Nigeria during the group stage of the 2019 AFCON, where the debutants famously reached the quarter-finals.
Looking Ahead: Under the guidance of head coach Corentin Martins—appointed in January 2025—the Barea are hunting for only their second-ever AFCON tournament appearance.

Following Friday’s high-stakes clash in Uyo, Madagascar will return home to host Tanzania on Tuesday, September 29.

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$800M IMA GAS DEAL PROVES MY POLICIES ARE RESCUING NIGERIA’S ECONOMY – TINUBU.

Published

15 minutes ago

September 23, 2026

NivoNews

President Bola Tinubu has declared that the recent policy overhauls in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are paying off, highlighted by a major $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop the long-dormant Ima Gas Field.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Wednesday, the President noted that the Ima Gas Field—originally discovered in 1973—had remained undeveloped underground for more than 50 years before his administration’s latest interventions.

According to Tinubu, the milestone was unlocked by targeted incentives introduced under his leadership to revitalize onshore and shallow-water gas projects that had stalled for decades.

Unlocking Dormant Potential

The President emphasized that since taking office, his administration has rolled out strategic Presidential Directives and Executive Orders designed to:

Make Nigeria’s investment climate significantly more competitive.
Reduce both the cost and turnaround time required to execute energy projects.
Provide long-awaited certainty and confidence to global and local investors.
Ensure natural resources deliver optimal value directly to citizens.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The $800 million project, spearheaded by AMNI International and TotalEnergies, is expected to serve as a massive economic catalyst. President Tinubu highlighted that approximately 60% of the workforce will be drawn directly from host communities.

Local Empowerment: The venture will create vital opportunities for Nigerian engineers, technicians, contractors, and local enterprises.
Export Growth: In addition to boosting local economic activity, the development will secure greater export earnings for the country.

Boosting Nigeria’s LNG Expansion

At its peak, the Ima project is projected to produce roughly 350 million cubic feet of gas daily. This output will supply about one-third of the feed gas required for the expansion of Nigeria LNG (NLNG).

Concluding his statement, Tinubu underscored the ultimate goal of his administration’s ongoing sector overhaul: turning Nigeria’s vast natural resource potential into active production, tangible jobs, and improved incomes for citizens.

“This is what our reforms are intended to achieve,” Tinubu stated. “We have more to unlock.”