The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has forecasted heavy rainfall between May and June 2025, which may lead to flash floods in coastal cities across the country.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the announcement while presenting the 2025 annual climate prediction in Abuja. He highlighted that the onset of rains is expected to be delayed in northern and central states, including Plateau, parts of Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara.
In contrast, the southern states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, and parts of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi are predicted to experience early rainfall onset. The rest of the country is expected to have a normal start to the rainy season.
Keyamo also pointed out that the end of the rainy season would occur earlier than the long-term average in parts of Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo states. Conversely, a delayed end to the season is anticipated in parts of Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu states.
Temperatures across Nigeria are forecast to be generally higher than the long-term average, with both daytime and nighttime temperatures expected to be warmer than usual in January, February, March, and May. However, April is expected to be cooler than normal, with warmer-than-average temperatures likely over most northern states.
Keyamo urged those engaged in rainfed agriculture and other rainfall-dependent activities to consult the seasonal climate change document or reach out to NIMET for further details on the predicted onset dates.
