BY Charles Olewezi
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised the alarm over the rising cases of flooding in the city and warned that urgent steps be taken to avoid colossal loss of properties and human lives.
Meanwhile, weather reports from the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMet) show that heavy rainfalls are expected throughout the month of June.
According to NiMet, “June is expected to usher in widespread rainfall across Nigeria as the rainy season becomes fully established over parts of the Northern region. The southern states are likely to experience their first rainfall maxima, while rainfall intensify and thunderstorm activities increase across the central and norther parts of the country.
“Consequently, the risk of flash flooding in vulnerable and low-lying communities is expected to rise. Cumulative rainfall is projected to range between 60 mm and 500 mm across the country.”
A resident of Ebagi community in Agyana-Pandagi Ward of Abaji Area Council, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, appealed to the council authorities and the FCT Administration to urgently intervene after a heavy rainstorm washed away the only culvert linking the community to neighbouring villages. He said many of the residents of the community have been stranded since Friday following the destruction caused by the flood. He said “ the affected culvert serves as the only alternative route connecting Ebagi community to neighbouring Rimba and Pandagi communities as well as Abaji town.”
Another resident, Mr. Festus Oni called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to clear blocked drains and repair drainage systems on Shehu Shagari Way, LaSalle Junction, Alvan Ikoku Way and other flood- prone areas in Abuja. He warned that given the prediction of more rains in June 2026 by NiMet, there may be irreparable losses except drastic measures are taken.
For residents of Trademore Estate in Lugbe, the predicted high rainfall in June by NiMet is a reminder of submerged homes, destroyed livelihoods, damaged vehicles and lives disrupted by floodwaters that continue to return year in year out. For Mrs. Yemisi Joseph, a trader, called on the relevant authorities to quickly step in to forestall the looming flooding.
Also lending his voice to the looming dangers of flooding in the FCT, Chairman of the Forum of Former Enugu State House of Assembly Members and former Southeast spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Josef Onoh, blamed the flooding menace in the FCT on illegal developments along waterways and called for urgent federal intervention. Onoh, who previously served as Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), said the flooding went beyond heavy rainfall, describing it as “the direct result of reckless development and the criminal encroachment of our waterways.”
In recent years, parts of Abuja have experienced recurrent flash flooding during the peak of the rainy season, often linked to blocked drainage systems, rapid urban expansion and construction close to natural waterways.
These conditions have increased the vulnerability of low-lying communities, prompting repeated warnings from relevant agencies as seasonal rainfall intensifies.
Meanwhile questions have continued to be raised on the utilization of the Ecological Funds in the FCT. Official records show that between June 2023 and December 2025, the FCT received about N1.24 billion from the Fund. It should be noted that the Ecological Fund is a special intervention fund established to address environmental challenges such as erosion, flooding and other ecological threats. The persistent flooding across the nation’s capital despite these allocations is raising difficult questions about infrastructure, drainage management, urban planning and the effectiveness of ecological interventions. Despite these huge intervention funds, residents lament that the impact is not seen.
Heavy rainfall on Monday left several parts of Abuja submerged, with videos circulating online showing stranded vehicles and roads overtaken by floodwaters.