Looming floods in 33 States: Food insecurity may worsen

The devastating floods in Mokwa, Niger State, have sent jitters across the country, especially in states predicted to be hit by floods in the coming days and months. Farmers are already in a panic because of the potential impact this development may have on their businesses, if it is allowed to unfold as it did in Mokwa.

The farmers, who spoke with Sunday Vanguard, warned that food insecurity may worsen unless something pragmatic was done to mitigate the impact, as they recalled past experiences of similar disasters.

In 2024, reports say over 90 per cent of crop-farming households and 76 per cent of livestock farmers were affected by floods. Additionally, 2.5 million people were impacted, with around 200,000 displaced.

Rains poured heavily, rivers, streams, lakes and dams overflowed their banks and over 16, 000 hectares of farmland destroyed, impacting 29 states and 154 local government areas.

Mostly affected were Bauchi State where over 50,000 hectares of farmland were destroyed; Taraba had over 22, 000 hectares affected, Jigawa’s 9,919 hectares of farmland inundated, and farmers suffered terrible losses.

Farmers in some states reported losses of over N1 billion in farm produce and crops.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, an estimated loss of 855,629 metric tonnes of food, which was enough food to feed 8.5 million people for six months, was recorded, and the floods negatively impacted on food insecurity across the country, hence high cost of food prices in markets.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, at a press conference on the heels of the Mokwa floods, warned that more rains are coming, saying states, local governments, and communities need to prepare ahead to avoid the fury of waters likely to sweep across states and local government areas mentioned in the Annual Flood Outlook, AFO, predictions released on April 10, 2025 by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA.

According to the Minister, the AFO identified 1,249 communities across 176 local government areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as high flood-risk zones.

An additional 2,187 communities in 293 LGAs were listed as moderate risk.

He said: “The high-risk states include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.”

2025 floods may destroy farmlands, worsen food insecurity – Yam farmers

The National President, Yam Farmers Association of Nigeria, YFAN, Prof Simon Irtwange, speaking from Makurdi, Benue State, said the predictions are clear, saying: “Therefore, the 2025 floods will definitely destroy more farmlands and worsen the current status of food insecurity already affected by activities of herdsmen and bandits’ attacks in parts of the major food producing states.

“Nigerians are already food insecure as a result of banditry and herdsmen attacks. “Flooding will just add to the equation by destroying more farmlands and worsening food security situation in the country.”
However, he counseled, “Government at all levels must take steps to provide drainage channels, clear obstructions along waterways, and mobilise the communities to take responsibility for ensuring maintenance of drainage infrastructure in their communities.

“Farmers must desist from practices that compact the soil, reduce rainfall infiltration, and create runoff along steep and sloppy terrains.

On whether more Nigerians could be pushed into hunger if large food-producing states are flooded, absolutely, if the government and stakeholders do not urgently intervene, millions of Nigerians—especially low-income earners—will bear the brunt of the flood’s impact. States like Niger, Kebbi, Nasarawa, and Taraba are not only agricultural hubs but also supply food to other parts of the country.

“A widespread flood in these areas would affect staple crops like rice, maize, yam, and vegetables.

“We are not just talking about loss of harvest, we are also talking about a potential collapse in supply chains, price spikes, and worsening malnutrition.

“The risk is not hypothetical, it is very real and imminent”.

Meanwhile, she (Victor-Gwafan) recommended: “To avert a hunger crisis, the time for reactive measures is over. Here are immediate and medium-term steps I recommend: Early warning and communication; strengthen local dissemination of flood warnings, not just at national levels. Farmers need information in local languages through radio, SMS, and community leaders.

Speaking from Sapele, Delta State, the Chief Executive Officer, EA Daniel Farms, Daniel Ijeh, said the demand of farmers is that government and relevant partners should find solutions to the root causes of persistent flooding in order for food production to continue.

We need decisive action now flood management infrastructure, early warnings, and relief support must be mobilized. I fear that if we wait until the floods come, it’ll be too late. Prevention is not just cheaper, it saves lives.

“We must shift from reactive to proactive strategies. First, I strongly recommend investing in community-based early warning systems.

“Farmers need real-time updates on weather patterns. With accurate information, they can adjust planting cycles or move to safer grounds.

“Next, we must support climate-smart agriculture, this includes promoting flood-tolerant seed varieties, short-season crops, and improving access to post-harvest storage to reduce spoilage when disaster strikes. “Farmers also need capacity-building on risk management and regenerative practices that restore soil health and reduce runoff.

“Infrastructure is critical. Roads, irrigation systems, and bridges must be upgraded to withstand climate extremes. What we lost in Mokwa shows how fragile our systems are. “We should also establish a Farmer Resilience Fund providing access to low-interest credit or input grants post-disaster to help smallholders bounce back.