The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported 245 deaths and the displacement of 214,997 people following flooding that affected 673,350 Nigerians across 134 local government areas in 28 states as of October 20, 2026.
The agency called for stronger coordination among emergency response institutions and improved preparedness ahead of the anticipated 2026/2027 El Niño phenomenon.
In a statement on Friday, NEMA said its Director-General, Zubaida Umar, presented the figures at the National Emergency Coordination Forum held at Ajuji Greenwich Hotel, Abuja.
“Speaking at the forum, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, disclosed that the Agency’s flood dashboard had recorded 673,350 persons affected across 134 Local Government Areas in 28 states as of 20 October 2026. Of this number, 214,997 persons had been displaced, while 245 lives had been lost,” the statement said.
Umar, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Godwin Topikor, said the scale of the flooding made it necessary to review ongoing interventions, identify response gaps and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.
The forum brought together representatives of ministries, departments and agencies, security institutions, humanitarian organisations and development partners to assess emerging disaster risks and improve coordinated preparedness and response.
Umar stressed the need for “heightened surveillance, timely information sharing and coordinated preparedness against emerging public health threats,” particularly in communities affected by disasters.
She warned that displacement, poor sanitation and inadequate access to essential services could increase health risks among affected populations.
On the anticipated 2026/2027 El Niño phenomenon, the NEMA director-general urged relevant institutions to “harmonise climate forecasts, assess potential risks and translate early warning information into practical anticipatory actions” to reduce possible effects on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
She added that “effective disaster management required a proactive, multisectoral approach anchored on early warning, preparedness, risk reduction, timely response and sustainable recovery,” according to the statement.
Umar also urged participating institutions to “deepen operational collaboration, eliminate duplication of efforts and prioritise the protection of vulnerable populations,” especially women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
The forum featured technical presentations and discussions on the current flood situation, cholera updates, the anticipated El Niño phenomenon and its hydrological implications, as well as global and regional climate outlooks.
Participants also reviewed preparedness and response priorities across several sectors, including food security, health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, protection, emergency shelter, logistics, security and information management.
Also Read
In his welcome address, the Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Tony Ephraim, highlighted the importance of coordination and collaboration among emergency management stakeholders.
He urged participants to contribute meaningfully towards “identifying operational gaps, improving information sharing and developing actionable recommendations to strengthen national disaster preparedness and response.”
NEMA said the forum provided a platform for stakeholders to “review existing response mechanisms, harmonise sectoral priorities and strengthen collective readiness to address ongoing emergencies and anticipated disaster risks across the country.”
[wpadcenter_ad id='745970' align='none']