The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), in collaboration with the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, has announced a nationwide dissemination, training and sensitisation programme on the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO).

This is contained in a statement signed by Sulaimon Arigbabu, Executive Secretary of HEDA Resource Centre, on Sunday in Lagos.

Mr Arigbabu said the initiative was aimed at strengthening public understanding of flood risks, improving preparedness, and supporting early action across vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

He said the two-day virtual programme would bring together participants from the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Mr Arigbabu added that participants would include farmers, agricultural cooperatives, community leaders, media professionals, civil society organisations, researchers, humanitarian actors, and officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, as well as emergency management agencies.

According to him, the programme forms part of efforts to simplify and disseminate flood forecast information in practical and accessible ways for communities most affected by recurring floods and climate-related disasters.

He said improving public understanding of flood risks was critical for disaster preparedness, protection of agriculture, rural livelihoods, and food security across the country.

He noted that farmers remained among the groups most affected by annual flooding, with repeated losses of farmlands, fisheries, livestock, storage facilities, and transportation routes contributing to food insecurity and economic hardship.

According to Mr Arigbabu, the sensitisation programme is designed to help participants understand flood-prone areas, possible impacts within their regions, and practical preparedness measures to reduce losses before and during the rainy season.

Mr Arigbabu emphasised the need to move flood information beyond technical reports into practical community knowledge.

“Every year, flood predictions are released, but many communities still do not receive the information in ways they can understand or act upon.

“This programme is about simplifying the AFO and ensuring that farmers, local institutions, media organisations and communities are better prepared ahead of the peak rainfall period,” he said.

According to him, the sessions will be delivered in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Pidgin and English to ensure wider participation and understanding across different regions of the country.

The organisation also called on media organisations, particularly radio stations and community broadcasters, to participate actively in the programme.

HEDA said the media played a major role in translating and disseminating flood information to local communities, especially rural populations with limited access to digital platforms and official communication channels.

He added that journalists, broadcasters and media practitioners must understand the Annual Flood Outlook well enough to communicate flood risks responsibly and accurately before disasters occur.

He said the programme would cover interpretation of the 2026 AFO, flood risk communication, early warning dissemination, protection of farmlands and livelihoods, community preparedness measures, and coordinated response planning.

He also urged State Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, Water Resources, Emergency Management Agencies, local governments and civil society organisations to support wider dissemination of the flood outlook within their communities.

He added that the programme was scheduled to hold virtually on May 19 and May 20, with separate regional sessions for participants across Northern and Southern Nigeria. 

(NAN)