The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has released its 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), warning of delayed rainfall onset, extreme weather conditions, and potential flash floods in coastal areas.
The report was officially presented in Abuja by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, under the theme: “The Role of Early Warnings Towards a Climate-Resilient Aviation Industry for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development.”
Keyamo emphasised the growing impact of climate change on aviation, agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management. He urged stakeholders in climate-sensitive industries to consult NiMet’s predictions for accurate weather guidance.
Key Predictions for 2025:
Late Rainfall Onset: States in the North and Central regions—including Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara—will experience delayed rainfall. In contrast, southern states like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Anambra, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi will see early rainfall.
Earlier Rainfall End: The rainy season will end earlier than usual in Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, FCT, Ekiti, and Ondo. However, Lagos, Kwara, Taraba, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu will experience a delayed end to rainfall.
Annual Rainfall Trends: Most areas will see normal to below-average rainfall, except for Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the FCT, where above-normal rainfall is expected.
Flash Flood Risks: Heavy rainfall in May and June could lead to flash floods in coastal cities.
Dry Spells:
Severe dry spells (over 15 days) will hit Oyo State, particularly Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomosho, and Atisbo.
Moderate dry spells (up to 15 days) will affect Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom.
