The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a warning regarding an elevated risk of flooding across five local government areas in Kwara State. The affected areas include Edu, Baruten, Kaiama, Moro, and Patigi. Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director-General of NEMA, announced this during a stakeholders’ engagement event in Ilorin focused on national disaster preparedness for 2026.
Representing the Director-General, Mr. Hussaini Isah, Head of Operations for the Minna office, noted that several other regions in Kwara face a moderate risk of flooding throughout the upcoming rainy season. Based on data from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, experts have projected climate-related challenges such as irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged dry periods, and increased temperatures. These environmental shifts threaten critical sectors, including agriculture, energy, and public health.
NEMA has developed a new framework for climate risk management to help mitigate these impacts. The agency is currently deploying technical teams to states for community outreach and early warning dissemination. Mr. Jide Aina, General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, emphasized the necessity of grassroots resilience and responsible waste management. Meanwhile, meteorologist Desmond Onyilo cautioned local farmers to exercise vigilance, particularly regarding planting schedules following mid-July, as the state anticipates significant dry spells alongside flood risks.
