Several Nigerian states, including Kaduna, Nasarawa, Bauchi, and Jigawa, have stepped up campaigns to prevent further flooding as heavy rains continue across the country.
Figures from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) show that as of September 20, at least 232 people had died, while 121,224 others were displaced by floods in different regions. Nationwide, 339,658 residents suffered various losses, 681 sustained injuries, and 115 were reported missing.
The highest death toll was recorded in Niger State, with 163 fatalities, followed by Adamawa with 59. Taraba recorded five deaths, while Yobe reported two. Borno, Gombe, and Jigawa each recorded one death.
Flooding destroyed 42,301 houses and submerged 48,447 hectares of farmland. Lagos, Adamawa, and Akwa Ibom were among the most affected states. In Lagos, 57,951 people were impacted, with 3,680 displaced and 3,244 houses damaged. Adamawa reported 57,890 affected, 23,077 displaced, and over 9,000 farmlands destroyed. Akwa Ibom recorded 46,233 affected, 40,140 displaced, and more than 17,000 homes and farms damaged.
Other states hit include Imo, Taraba, Rivers, Delta, Abia, Edo, Borno, Kaduna, Niger, Bayelsa, Cross River, Yobe, Sokoto, Gombe, and Ondo. The Federal Capital Territory also reported 1,025 affected residents and 117 damaged houses.
NEMA identified urgent needs such as food, shelter, health care, water, sanitation, and livelihood support. The agency said inadequate resources were the major challenge to relief efforts, followed by poor access to flooded areas, security risks, and community resistance.
In Gombe, state officials confirmed that 15 people had died and nearly 1,000 households displaced since the rainy season began. In Sokoto, over 5,300 households were displaced when torrential rains destroyed 2,200 houses in Rabah Local Government Area.
Kano also reported widespread damage to homes, with many rooftops torn off by storms. Authorities said assessments were ongoing. Bauchi officials revealed that the state had spent about N500 million to support victims.
In Kaduna, more than 970 people were displaced after heavy rainfall destroyed 270 homes. Governor Uba Sani pledged stronger disaster preparedness and long-term flood mitigation strategies.
While some states battled widespread devastation, Jigawa reported no major displacements, crediting its N4.2 billion investment in flood prevention. Nasarawa also intensified awareness campaigns, urging residents in high-risk areas to relocate to safer grounds.
Niger State officials added that despite earlier tragedies, proactive measures were helping to prevent further casualties. They appealed to residents to avoid blocking drainages and to heed evacuation warnings.