Nigeria floods kill 245 and displace 214,997 by 20 October
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Flooding affected 673,350 people in 134 local government areas across 28 Nigerian states, killing 245 and displacing 214,997 people as of 20 October 2026, according to the National Emergency Management Agency. The agency called for stronger coordination and preparedness ahead of the 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon.
Flooding affected 673,350 people in 134 local government areas across 28 states in Nigeria and caused 245 deaths as of 20 October 2026, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The agency also recorded 214,997 displaced people, its director-general Zubaida Umar announced at the National Emergency Coordination Forum in Abuja, Punch reports.
Represented by its director of planning, research and forecasting, Godwin Topikor, Zubaida Umar called for better coordination between ministries, public agencies, security services, humanitarian organisations and development partners. She said the scale of the flooding required current responses to be reviewed and gaps in the response to be addressed.
NEMA also fears worsening health vulnerabilities in affected communities because of displacement, inadequate sanitation and limited access to essential services. The agency recommends increased monitoring, rapid information-sharing and coordinated preparation for risks linked to the El Niño phenomenon expected in 2026-2027.
Zubaida Umar called on Nigerian institutions to harmonise climate forecasts, assess risks and turn early warnings into anticipatory measures to protect people, livelihoods and essential infrastructure, according to Punch.
