NEMA Reports 245 Flood Deaths, Over 214,000 Displaced Across 28 States

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that flooding affected 673,350 people across 134 local government areas in 28 states, with 245 deaths recorded as of October 20, 2026.

The agency also disclosed that 214,997 people had been displaced by the floods, prompting calls for stronger coordination among emergency response agencies and improved preparedness for anticipated climate-related risks.

According to a statement issued on Friday, NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar presented the figures at the National Emergency Coordination Forum held at Ajuji Greenwich Hotel in Abuja. She was represented at the meeting by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Godwin Topikor.

Umar said the scale of the flooding highlighted the need to review existing interventions, identify gaps in emergency response and strengthen collaboration among relevant stakeholders to protect affected communities.

The forum brought together representatives of government ministries, departments and agencies, security institutions, humanitarian organisations and development partners to assess emerging disaster risks and improve preparedness and response efforts.

The NEMA chief emphasised the importance of increased surveillance, timely information sharing and coordinated action against public health threats, particularly in communities affected by flooding. She warned that displacement, poor sanitation and limited access to essential services could worsen health risks among affected populations.

Umar also called for improved preparedness ahead of the anticipated 2026/2027 El Niño phenomenon. She urged relevant institutions to harmonise climate forecasts, assess potential risks and translate early-warning information into practical measures to minimise threats to lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

She further called on participating institutions to strengthen operational cooperation, avoid duplication of efforts and prioritise vulnerable groups, including women, children, older people and persons with disabilities.

The forum featured discussions on the current flood situation, cholera updates, the possible hydrological implications of El Niño and global and regional climate forecasts. Participants also reviewed preparedness priorities in food security, healthcare, education, water and sanitation, nutrition, emergency shelter, logistics, security and information management.

In his welcome address, NEMA Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Tony Ephraim, urged participants to identify operational gaps, improve information sharing and develop actionable recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s disaster management systems.

The agency said the forum was intended to improve coordination, align response priorities and strengthen the country’s readiness to manage ongoing emergencies and anticipated disasters.