The Federal Government has issued a seven-day flood warning for 15 states, but the alert has already moved beyond forecasts in Lagos, where residents of several low-lying communities have been told to prepare for temporary relocation.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) warned of a high risk of riverine flooding from September 19 to 25, 2026, as rising river levels could affect communities, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms and places of worship. The affected states include Lagos, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Kogi, Taraba, Cross River and Anambra.
Lagos Moves From Warning to Evacuation
The most immediate concern is Lagos, where the state government has directed people living in vulnerable areas to move to higher ground before conditions worsen.
Lagos Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab identified Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Oke-Ira Nla in Ajah, Kirikiri, Ilaje Waterfront Jetty and Jetty Terminal B among areas requiring particular caution. Residents around rivers, lagoons, wetlands and drainage channels have also been urged to remain alert.
The government is asking residents not to wait until water enters their homes before leaving. The strategy is based on early movement rather than waiting for emergency rescue operations to begin.
Why September Is a Risky Period for Lagos
The timing of the warning is important because Lagos is entering another phase of its rainy season.
According to the state government, September can bring increased rainfall, rising water levels and tidal influences that increase flood exposure in low-lying and waterfront communities. Rainfall upstream can also create problems downstream, meaning a community can face rising water even when there has not been extreme rainfall directly overhead.
Communities along the Ogun River are therefore also being watched closely. Isheri North, Kara, Itowolo, Ajegunle, Majidun, Ogolonto and parts of Agboyi have been placed on heightened alert, particularly during the September 19 to 25 warning period.
15 States Face Different Levels of Exposure
The national warning is not limited to Lagos. NiHSA identified 15 states where rising river levels could cause flooding during the seven-day period.
Cross River has some of the largest numbers of exposed communities and infrastructure, with thousands of communities and hundreds of schools, health facilities and markets identified as being within flood-risk areas. Other states on the list include Imo, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia.
NiHSA has advised residents in vulnerable communities to move people, livestock and valuables to safer ground where necessary. It also warned people against walking or driving through flooded roads and fast-moving water.
What Residents Should Watch Next
The key issue over the next few days will be whether river levels and rainfall conditions force more communities to evacuate.
Authorities have been asked to prepare emergency shelters, relief materials, drinking water, first-aid supplies and local early-warning systems. Lagos has also intensified monitoring of flood-prone communities and waterways.
For residents, the warning means preparation should happen before flooding becomes visible. The federal alert runs until September 25, but NiHSA says it will continue monitoring river levels and hydrological conditions and issue further updates where necessary.
