Nigerian States Still Reeling From N13 Trillion Flood Losses As Fresh 2026 Rainy Season Warnings Raise Alarm

Nigerian States Still Reeling from N13 Trillion Flood Losses as Fresh 2026 Rainy Season Warnings Raise Alarm Nigeria is still recovering from devastating floods that struck between 2024 and 2025, with losses estimated at about N13 trillion, even as fresh warnings indicate that the 2026 rainy season could trigger widespread flooding across the country once again.The Guardian report highlights that the earlier flooding disasters caused massive destruction of homes, infrastructure, farmlands and businesses across multiple states, leaving long-term economic and humanitarian impacts that are yet to be fully resolved.

Massive economic and infrastructure damage According to estimates cited in the report, the combined impact of flooding over the two-year period resulted in damages worth about $9.5 billion (approximately N13 trillion). Housing and property were the hardest hit, accounting for about N6.2 trillion in losses due to collapsed and submerged buildings. Agriculture also suffered heavily, with billions lost in destroyed crops and farmland, worsening food insecurity across several regions. Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and energy facilities recorded additional multi-trillion-naira damages, while small businesses and informal sector activities were also severely disrupted. Human impact and displacement

Beyond economic losses, the floods resulted in significant human suffering, including deaths, injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people across affected states. Many communities were submerged, forcing emergency evacuations and long-term resettlement challenges. Reports from emergency agencies show that thousands of homes and farmlands were destroyed, while entire communities in flood-prone areas faced repeated cycles of displacement and recovery delays.Despite ongoing recovery efforts, meteorological and hydrological agencies have warned that 19 to 33 states are at risk of severe flooding during the 2026 rainy season. The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency NiHSA has also identified more than 14,000 communities nationwide as vulnerable to varying levels of flooding risk, raising concerns about preparedness and disaster response capacity.States such as Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and several others are among those expected to face high flood risk, especially in urban and coastal areas. Environmental and disaster management experts have urged both federal and state governments to strengthen flood control systems, improve drainage infrastructure, and enforce land-use planning regulations. They also emphasized the need for early warning systems, community awareness campaigns, and better use of ecological funds to reduce the scale of future disasters.With Nigeria still grappling with the economic aftermath of previous floods, the renewed warnings for 2026 highlight growing concerns about climate vulnerability and infrastructure resilience. Stakeholders warn that without urgent and coordinated intervention, the country could face another cycle of destruction, displacement, and multi-trillion-naira losses in the coming rainy season.