The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has projected that the length of the rainy season in 2025 will generally follow normal patterns across the country. However, states such as Borno and parts of Yobe may experience shorter seasons, while Lagos and Nasarawa are expected to have extended periods of rainfall. Annual rainfall levels are predicted to be normal to below average in most regions, except for areas like Kebbi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Lagos, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and the FCT, which are likely to receive above-normal amounts. Additionally, heavy rainfall in May and June could lead to flash floods in coastal cities.
Some regions will also experience dry spells between April and August. In Oyo State, locations including Saki, Iseyin, Ogbomosho, and others may face a severe dry spell lasting over 15 days after rainfall begins. Moderate dry spells of up to 15 days are expected in southern states such as Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Ebonyi, and others, while a severe dry spell lasting up to 21 days is predicted for northern states during June to August. The ‘August Break,’ a brief dry period, is forecasted to start in late July, with severe effects expected in Lagos and Ogun, lasting between 27 and 40 days. Moderate impacts are anticipated in parts of Ogun, Oyo, and Ekiti, while Osun, Oyo, Kwara, and northern Ondo will likely experience only mild effects.
Temperature levels are expected to be above the long-term average in most parts of Nigeria from February to May 2025. Both daytime and nighttime temperatures are predicted to be warmer than usual in January, February, March, and May. However, in April, temperatures are expected to be slightly cooler, except in the northern states, which will remain warmer than normal.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development emphasized the importance of the Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in helping various sectors prepare for weather-related challenges. He noted that farmers could use the forecast to plan their agricultural activities, disaster management agencies could improve preparedness, and health authorities could anticipate climate-related disease outbreaks. Highlighting the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, he stressed the need for sustainable practices, improved infrastructure, and proactive responses to climate risks.
The prediction serves as an early warning tool for stakeholders, including governments and the general public, to prepare for potential weather hazards such as flooding, excessive rainfall, high temperatures, and dry spells. The minister encouraged all relevant parties to utilize the SCP to make informed decisions that would enhance productivity and reduce vulnerability to climate-related disasters in 2025.
NiMet’s Director General, Professor Charles Anosike, underscored that the SCP’s effectiveness depends on stakeholders acting on its insights. He emphasized the need for agencies and individuals to adopt the information, provide feedback, and contribute to refining future forecasts.
Zubaida Umar, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), noted that climate factors significantly impact all socio-economic activities. She highlighted that the SCP enables NEMA to analyze disaster risks and develop early warning messages to guide emergency responders in safeguarding lives and infrastructure. She also pointed out that annual flood disasters in Nigeria could have been worse without the SCP’s timely interventions.
To enhance preparedness, NEMA plans to convene a meeting of experts to assess the disaster risk implications of the 2025 SCP. The agency will develop advisories for state and local governments to support disaster mitigation, response, and recovery planning. Umar reiterated that the SCP plays a crucial role in minimizing the devastating effects of recurring floods by providing early warning information to relevant agencies and the public.
